2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer presented a familiar aesthetic, echoing Ford's traditional SUV lineup with its sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive visages. Despite its resemblance to the Edge, the Explorer stood out with its variety of grille options and six trim levels, ranging from the base model to the luxurious Platinum. Inside, the Explorer offered three rows of seating, with the base model featuring cloth upholstery and a clean dashboard design. The center stack was dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen, complemented by large knobs and buttons for easy control. The XLT trim, popular among consumers, provided enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen, while higher trims offered leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized practicality and ruggedness, particularly in the Wilderness trim. Its exterior, with a suspension lift and protective cladding, gave it a distinctive, albeit homely, appearance. Inside, the Forester focused on functionality, with a cabin that combined hard plastic and soft surfaces. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal. The Wilderness trim featured copper-colored accents and a water-repellant StarTex interior, catering to outdoor enthusiasts. Despite its somewhat dated look, the Forester's interior was well-constructed, offering a comfortable and intuitive driving experience.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing in at 4,345 pounds, offered a range of powertrains. The base model featured a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim increased power to 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, with the Explorer ST offering an impressive 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing capacity, ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine, making it a strong contender for those needing towing power.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters came with a CVT and AWD, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25%. This model also doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester's fuel economy was commendable, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg in combined driving. While the engine was adequate at sea level, it felt sluggish at higher altitudes, highlighting the absence of a turbocharger. The Forester's dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it a compelling choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain’s chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of second-row legroom, surpassing some competitors but falling short of others like the Kia Telluride. The Explorer's cargo space was notable, with 21 cubic feet available even with the third row in use, and a total of 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to its tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery and all-weather floor mats, catering to outdoor enthusiasts. The Forester's interior was comfortable, with ample space for passengers and practical storage solutions. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The upgraded roof rails and full-size spare tire added to its practicality, making it a strong contender in the compact SUV segment.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple charging options, including USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a wireless charging pad available from the Limited trim upwards.

The 2022 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base trim, with an 8-inch screen available in higher trims. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Starlink connected services. The Wilderness trim offered a navigation system and a Harman Kardon audio system, along with a 180-degree forward-view camera. The Forester's PIN Code Access feature allowed for keyless entry, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2021 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features was standard, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, available from the Limited trim, added features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Forester also offered a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, and DriverFocus technology in the Touring trim. The NHTSA awarded the Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, with a 4-star rating for rollover resistance.