2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. This similarity was evident in its design, both externally and internally. The Passport’s dashboard layout was visually identical to that of the Pilot, including Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design for the automatic transmission. Despite these corporate design choices, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout.

Trim levels for the 2021 Passport included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The entry-level Sport came with features like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L added leather upholstery and a power moonroof, while the Touring trim included front-and-rear parking sensors and a hands-free liftgate. The top-tier Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims. Prices started at $25,195 for the base model, with the Touring trim topping out at $35,295. All-wheel drive was standard across all trims. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It also had a CVT that provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds.

The Forester’s interior emphasized function over form, with hard plastic and soft surfaces combining to create a cabin that exuded quality. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens were less than ideal. The Wilderness trim included a suspension lift, higher ride height, and protective cladding, making it suitable for off-road adventures. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, from city streets to off-road trails, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well. The Passport’s ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and Intelligent Traction Management for AWD models. Towing capacity was up to 3,500 pounds for FWD models and 5,000 pounds for AWD models.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters had a CVT and AWD, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25%. The Forester Wilderness also doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated the Forester Wilderness’s fuel economy at 26 mpg combined, with real-world testing averaging 25.9 mpg. The Forester’s engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive for a more lively response. The Wilderness trim included a re-tuned suspension, longer springs, and shocks, improving ground clearance to 9.2 inches and enhancing off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims featured a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console had a deep bin and an open cargo tray. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, 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. Comfort levels were high in both the front and back seats, 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. Folding the rear seats down provided 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), making the Forester one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought.

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. Premium trim and above offered a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, and Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The PIN Code Access feature allowed for keyless entry, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, with "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, featuring a wider field of vision and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. EyeSight 4.0 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 received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.