2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 Ford Escape, in its fourth generation, presented a blend of SUV and hatchback aesthetics. Its design featured a curved snout and sleek roofline, giving it a resemblance to an enlarged Ford Focus, yet maintaining the elevated ride height typical of an SUV. This styling choice resulted in a less rugged appearance compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, or Toyota RAV4, but it was more generic than the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage. For 2021, the Escape introduced new appearance packages across three of its four trims, enhancing its visual appeal with options like 19-inch alloy wheels and upgraded interior materials. However, the interior design lacked cohesion, with some materials feeling subpar, even in the top-tier Titanium model.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized practicality and ruggedness, especially in its Wilderness trim. This model was designed for adventure, featuring a suspension lift, higher ground clearance, and protective cladding that gave it a distinctive, albeit unconventional, look. The interior focused on functionality, with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather and all-weather floor mats, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The Forester's cabin combined hard plastics and soft surfaces, offering a sense of quality despite its somewhat dated appearance. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens could be cumbersome. Overall, the Forester's design prioritized utility and durability, appealing to those seeking a vehicle capable of handling rugged terrains.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered a variety of powertrains, including two gasoline engines and hybrid options. The base engine was a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, delivering 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could opt for a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, producing 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, available exclusively with all-wheel drive. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid models featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, generating a combined 200 hp. The plug-in hybrid's larger battery allowed for extended electric-only driving. Despite the variety of powertrains, the Escape's chassis tuning was criticized for its lackluster suspension and steering, making it less enjoyable to drive. The 2.0-liter engine models could tow up to 3,500 pounds, but towing figures for the hybrid variants were not specified.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness trim offering enhanced initial torque supply and increased towing capacity of 3,000 pounds. The Forester's fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed slightly lower figures. While the engine was adequate at lower altitudes, it felt underpowered at higher elevations. The CVT provided smooth operation, and the SI-Drive system offered a sportier driving experience. The Forester's dual-function X-Mode system improved off-road capabilities, and the re-tuned suspension enhanced ride quality and handling. The Wilderness trim excelled in off-road conditions, showcasing its ability to tackle challenging terrains with ease.

The 2021 Ford Escape offered competitive interior space, with generous headroom and legroom in both rows. The sliding rear seat allowed for adjustable legroom or cargo space, providing 40.7 inches of rear legroom in non-hybrid models. However, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models sacrificed some legroom due to battery placement. Cargo space varied, with gasoline models offering 33.5 cubic feet with the rear seat up, expandable to 65.4 cubic feet with the seat folded. Hybrid models had slightly less cargo capacity. Despite its car-like styling, the Escape's interior space was commendable, though some competitors offered more cargo room.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to its tall seating position. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery and all-weather mats, making it suitable for outdoor activities. The Forester's interior was spacious, with comfortable seating and excellent visibility. Rear passengers benefited from air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the sunroof, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Forester's cargo area was well-shaped, and the upgraded roof rails accommodated a three-person roof tent. Overall, the Forester offered ample space and practicality for both passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Ford Escape utilized the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with base models featuring a 4.2-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard. Upgrading to higher trims provided an 8-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM radio, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, it lacked some of the advanced features found in competitors' systems, such as wireless smartphone integration.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink services. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon sound system. The Wilderness trim included a forward-view camera for off-roading. The Forester's infotainment system was intuitive, though the voice recognition system had mixed effectiveness. The PIN Code Access feature allowed for keyless entry, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts. Overall, the Forester's technology offerings were comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2021 Ford Escape received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and park assist.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim added DriverFocus, a facial recognition system for monitoring driver alertness. The NHTSA awarded the Forester a five-star overall crash-test rating, and it was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.