2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 represented a significant step forward for the brand, showcasing a refined design and enhanced technology. Cadillac had updated the XT5 for the 2020 model year with 40 upgrades, including a new engine option, revised styling, and improved technology. The exterior featured a more snub-nosed look with distinct trim level differentiation, standard LED lights, and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale design compared to its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents. The Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance, though it lacked some of the luxury touches found in higher-end models like the Escalade.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality and practicality. The Forester Wilderness trim, tested in the wilds of the Cascade Mountains, featured a rugged design with a suspension lift, higher ride height, and protective cladding. The interior focused on durability with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather and all-weather floor mats. The Forester's cabin combined hard plastic and soft surfaces, creating a sense of quality construction. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens could be less than ideal. Overall, the Forester's design prioritized utility over luxury, making it a practical choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered buyers a choice between a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. The V6 was standard on the XT5 Sport and available on the Premium Luxury trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was smooth when upshifting but clunkier when downshifting. The XT5's throttle response was immediate with the V6, though it could benefit from additional low-end torque. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in real-world driving conditions, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6 AWD model.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The Wilderness model's CVT provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester Wilderness achieved 25.9 mpg during testing, close to the EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined. The Forester's engine emitted a characteristic boxer-style grumble, and while it felt adequate at sea level, it could be sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode improved the driving experience, though a turbocharger would have been a welcome addition.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered seating for four adults in two rows, though it technically fit five with a three-seat bench in the second row. The back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants, but legroom was good in both rows. The front seats were not as comfortable as they appeared during extended road trips. The XT5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Nissan Murano and Lincoln Nautilus, but benefited from a deep rear cargo area. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone and small map pockets.

The 2022 Subaru Forester excelled in functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats and a rubber cargo mat. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, suitable for a three-person roof tent. The Forester's interior was comfortable, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The squared-off cargo area and new ceiling cargo hooks added to its practicality.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a rotary controller on the center console. The system included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and USB-A and USB-C ports. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system were available. The XT5 also offered a rear camera mirror, a fully-digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display (HUD).

The 2022 Subaru Forester came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system in base trim, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Forester Wilderness included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle had both navigation and the Harman Kardon audio system, which produced clear, rich sound. The Forester also offered a PIN Code Access feature, allowing drivers to leave the key fob in the SUV and use a PIN code to re-enter the vehicle.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. The XT5 also featured a rear-seat reminder, a rearview camera, and available Night Vision technology, which enhanced nighttime drivability. General Motors' Teen Driver software allowed parents to limit certain vehicle features and monitor driving habits.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with twice the field of vision of the previous system. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology that monitored for drowsiness and distraction. The 2022 Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).