2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban's front-end design was polarizing, with a mix of small headlights and large, busy grilles that didn't favor its massive frame. The interior, however, remained familiar and functional, with controls in their usual places and a touchscreen framed by a chrome strip that could reflect sunlight into the driver's eyes. The Suburban offered various trim levels, from the base LS to the luxurious High Country, which featured woodgrain and leather but lacked the soft-touch materials of true luxury SUVs. Despite its upscale appearance, the High Country felt more like an upscale pickup than a luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized function over form, with a practical and well-constructed interior. The Wilderness trim, in particular, featured water-repellant StarTex simulated leather and all-weather floor mats, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. The Forester's interior was spacious and comfortable, with tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The upgraded roof rails with integrated tie-down locations accommodated a three-person roof tent, enhancing its practicality for outdoor enthusiasts. Despite its somewhat dated appearance, the Forester's interior exuded quality and clarity of purpose.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of powerful engines, including a standard 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The newly available Duramax turbodiesel engine, a 3.0-liter inline-six, generated 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available four-wheel drive (4WD). The diesel engine provided excellent pickup and V8-level torque, making it suitable for towing up to 8,300 pounds with the Max Trailering package. The Suburban's independent rear suspension improved ride quality, but it still exhibited some truck-like tendencies, such as body roll and susceptibility to crosswinds.

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 (AWD). The Wilderness trim's CVT design provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester's fuel economy was competitive, averaging 25.9 mpg during testing. While the engine felt adequate at sea level, it struggled at higher altitudes, where a turbocharger would have been beneficial. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode improved responsiveness, but the Forester still lacked the power of turbocharged competitors. The dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension enhanced off-road capability, making the Wilderness trim particularly adept at handling rough terrain.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban boasted massive cargo space, with 144.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded, 93.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats in use, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed a commanding view of the road and ample head- and legroom, especially in the second-row captain's chairs. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, but the button shifter design was less intuitive. The power-sliding center console was a complex feature that added little value. Despite these quirks, the Suburban's sheer volume of passenger and cargo space was impressive.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery and all-weather floor mats made it ideal for outdoor activities, though the simulated leather didn't absorb moisture well. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a three-person roof tent, enhancing its practicality. The Forester's interior was spacious and 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-mounted cargo hooks added to its utility.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available navigation system and rear entertainment system with large touchscreens added convenience. The head-up display provided clear, easy-to-read graphics.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. The Premium trim added a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a 180-degree forward-view camera. The PIN Code Access feature allowed outdoor enthusiasts to leave the key fob in the SUV and re-enter using a PIN code.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, front parking sensors, and a surround-view monitor camera system. Unique options included the rear-view camera mirror and Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated for alerts.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim featured DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The 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).