2022 Subaru Outback vs. 2022 Kia Sportage
You can’t go wrong with either of these SUVs, but the 2022 Subaru Outback and 2022 Kia Sportage are excellent options for those who want to get a lot of cars for their money. The Outback offers more cargo space, but the Sportage has better fuel economy. We’ll help you decide which one is right for you.
Design & Style
- Exterior Design
The 2022 Subaru Outback has a modern, sporty look. Its sharp lines and large grille give it an aggressive appearance. The vehicle’s front end is rounded out by its headlights, equipped with daytime running lights and turn signals.
In contrast to the Outback’s bold styling, the 2022 Kia Sportage has a more understated look that is still stylish and contemporary. Its sleek sides are highlighted by chrome accents along its body panels, giving it a premium look without being too flashy or excessive in its design.
- Interior Design
The interior design is where the 2022 Subaru Outback and 2022 Kia Sportage are most similar. Both cars have a similar dashboard layout, with center-mounted gauges and a large touchscreen display in the middle of the dash. However, there are some minor differences in the design between them. The 2022 Kia Sportage has a more streamlined setup, with less ornamentation and fewer buttons than its competition. On the other hand, despite being slightly larger overall (by 0.5 inches), the 2022 Subaru Outback has an arguably less spacious driver’s compartment than its Korean competitor; this is partially due to its higher beltline relative to Kia’s car but also because it has smaller side mirrors that make entry and exit slightly more difficult than they would otherwise be on this vehicle class these smaller mirrors may be one reason why many consumers prefer SUVs over crossovers (although not all SUVs offer this benefit).
Technology & Safety
The Subaru Outback has a base infotainment system that includes Bluetooth, an auxiliary audio jack, two USB inputs, a rearview camera, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The Kia Sportage’s standard infotainment system comes with voice recognition capability, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto compatibility, and an 8-inch touchscreen with support for smartphone integration.
In terms of safety technology, both vehicles come equipped with blind spot monitoring systems (BSM) to detect vehicles in your blind spots when changing lanes or to back up. The Outback also offers lane keep assist (LKA), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), and automatic high beams/low beams/automatic wipers. The Kia comes equipped with LKA and RCTA safety features that help prevent accidents by detecting other cars in front of you when you’re on the highway during rush hour traffic or other heavy traffic conditions.
Performance
For engine performance, the 2022 Kia Sportage has a 2.0L I4 engine with 180 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The 2022 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, has either a 3.6L flat-six boxer engine or a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 256 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque (the latter being available only on Sport models). Both vehicles have automatic transmissions; the 2022 Outback has an optional continuously variable transmission, while the 2022 Kia Sportage comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Bottom Line
The Kia Sportage is a great crossover SUV, but the Subaru Outback is even better. The Outback has more standard features, power, and better handling than the Sportage, and it comes at a better price point. You’ll get more value for your money if you go with this model instead of its competitor.
Ready to Schedule a 2022 Subaru Outback Test Drive Today?
At Competition Subaru, we offer a wide variety of Subaru models for you to choose from, including the 2022 Subaru Outback and we are more than happy to arrange for a test drive so that you can experience the stellar features of this vehicle. Call us today to make an appointment or simply pay us a visit at our showroom today!