2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Ford Expedition

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was a welcome sight for a group of six weary travelers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport. After a week in a rented Dodge Grand Caravan, the plush and roomy Expedition promised comfort and luxury. However, the SUV's inability to accommodate all their luggage highlighted a significant drawback. Despite its luxurious Platinum trim, which includes features like Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and second-row captain’s chairs, the Expedition fell short in cargo space, forcing one passenger to carry a suitcase on her lap for the 40-mile ride home.

The Expedition Platinum's exterior boasted an intricately detailed chrome grille, massive 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and tasteful brightwork, making it a good-looking vehicle. The extended-length MAX version would have solved the cargo issue, offering more space for passengers and luggage. Inside, the leather-lined cabin provided comfort, though the use of hard plastic reminded passengers of the SUV's origins. For those seeking a more refined interior, the Lincoln Navigator, a close relative of the Expedition, offered a nicer alternative.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly the Wilderness trim, was evaluated in the rugged terrain of Bend, Oregon, and the Cascade Mountains. Priced at $33,945, the test vehicle featured white paint, a dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and an option package that included a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate. The Wilderness trim added a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, giving it a rugged appearance.

Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with hard plastic and soft surfaces creating a cabin that exuded quality and clarity of purpose. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens could be cumbersome. The Wilderness trim's cladding, matte-black hood decal, and copper-colored details were not immediately appealing, but the Forester's overall build quality and practicality shone through. The SUV's driving dynamics were pleasing, though it lacked the power of a turbocharged engine, making it feel sluggish at higher altitudes.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The engine produced 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm in most trims, while the Platinum trim received a boost to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, depending on the specification, and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology made maneuvering trailers easier.

The Expedition's acceleration was impressive, even with a full load of passengers and cargo. The twin-turbo V6 emitted a pleasant engine note, and the transmission operated smoothly. However, the Platinum's 22-inch wheels negatively impacted ride quality, transmitting road shock into the cabin despite the adaptive damping suspension. The FX4 Off-Road Package, available on XLT and Limited models, added off-road capabilities, but the test vehicle did not include this option. The Expedition averaged 17.1 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 19 mpg.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. All Foresters featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply and doubling the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester Wilderness averaged 25.9 mpg during testing, close to the EPA's combined rating of 26 mpg.

The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode improved the driving experience, but a turbocharged engine would have been beneficial. The dual-function X-Mode system, standard on most Foresters, offered various settings for different surfaces and improved hill descent control. The Wilderness trim's longer springs and shocks raised the suspension, providing 9.2 inches of ground clearance and improved off-road capabilities. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, though it struggled with engine power and wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's primary shortcoming was its inability to transport more than five people and their luggage simultaneously. The extended-length Expedition MAX addressed this issue, offering 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. The regular-length Expedition provided 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers and an independent rear suspension ensuring comfort in every seating position. The front seats offered a massage function, adding to the luxury experience. Storage for odds and ends was plentiful, though the cargo floor's high liftover height could be challenging when loading heavy items.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery in the Wilderness trim was water-resistant, and the SUV included all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable material on the rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, making it suitable for a three-person roof tent.

Comfort levels were high in both the front and back seats, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports for passengers. Storage space was decent, though Subaru missed opportunities to add additional storage solutions. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the rear seat down provided 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), making the Forester one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured the aging Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen display. While the user interface was friendly, the system could be slow to respond. Sync 3 included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. The test vehicle had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging but lacked the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services in base trim. Premium trim added access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. 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 test vehicle's Harman Kardon audio system produced clear, rich sound, though the voice recognition system was hit-and-miss.

The Forester's PIN Code Access feature allowed drivers to leave the key fob in the SUV and use a PIN code to re-enter the vehicle, catering to outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2021 Ford Expedition had a minimum curb weight of 5,368 pounds, providing a safety advantage. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Expedition a five-star overall crash-test rating, though the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model received a three-star rollover-resistance rating, while the four-wheel-drive (4WD) model earned four stars. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with improved camera-based technology and a new Automatic Emergency Steering 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. Touring trim added DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The NHTSA awarded the Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, with 5-star ratings in all evaluations except for rollover resistance, which received four stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the 2022 Forester at the time of publication, but it was expected to retain the 2021 model's "Top Safety Pick+" rating.