Compare the2022 Subaru OutbackVS 2022 Genesis GV80

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Outback have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Genesis GV80 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The Outback has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GV80 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Outback. But it costs extra on the GV80.

Both the Outback and the GV80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Outback is safer than the Genesis GV80:

	Outback	GV80
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	158	328
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/249 lbs.	254/334 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	241	263
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	147 lbs.	228 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	65 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	161/137 lbs.	388/497 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Outback is safer than the Genesis GV80:

	Outback	GV80
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	28	29
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.5 inches
Abdominal Force	101 G’s	101 G’s
Hip Force	247 lbs.	293 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches
HIC	146	290

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Outback its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 114 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GV80 is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

There are over 87 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Outback’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Outback’s reliability 30 points higher than the GV80.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Genesis GV80 turbo V6:

	Outback	GV80
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	6 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	2.8 sec	3 sec

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The GV80 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Outback gets better mileage than the GV80:

			MPG
Outback
	AWD	2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy
		XT 2.4 turbo flat-4	23 city/30 hwy
		Wilderness 2.4 turbo flat-4	22 city/26 hwy
GV80
	RWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/25 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/25 hwy
		3.5 turbo V6	18 city/23 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Outback uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GV80 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

The Outback has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GV80 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Tires and Wheels

The Outback Wilderness/Onyx Edition XT has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the GV80; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the GV80’s (36.1 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GV80 (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the GV80 (9.5 vs. 8.1 inches).

Chassis

The Subaru Outback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 1150 pounds less than the Genesis GV80.

The Outback is 3.4 inches shorter than the GV80, making the Outback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Outback 2.5i uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GV80 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Outback has 1.2 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more rear headroom and .8 inches more rear legroom than the GV80.

Cargo Capacity

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume than the GV80 with its rear seat up (32.5 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Outback easier. The Outback’s trunk lift-over height is 28.4 inches, while the GV80’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

Ergonomics

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Outback’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Outback Base). The GV80 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Connected Care can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Outback’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the GV80’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Outback has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The GV80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Outback owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Outback will cost $3175 to $7400 less than the GV80 over a five-year period.

The Outback will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Outback will retain 55.15% to 57.32% of its original price after five years, while the GV80 only retains 44.45% to 45.87%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Outback will be $25398 to $32558 less than for the Genesis GV80.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Outback as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Genesis GV80 isn't recommended.

The Subaru Outback outsold the Genesis GV80 by over 10 to one during the 2021 model year.