2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Jeep Cherokee

In the past, opinions on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee’s styling had mellowed since it initially debuted. Although the very short grille opening and the swept-back headlights were initially polarizing, familiarity had made them seem better proportioned over time. The exterior aesthetics depended heavily on the chosen trim level. The entry-level Latitude with its 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) looked generic, somewhat like a rental car. However, an 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels significantly improved the vehicle’s visual appeal due to its painted lower body cladding, which contrasted with the cheaper-looking black cladding on lesser trims.

Jeep had a knack for making the most out of a vehicle’s roof, much like it did with other models such as the Wrangler or the Renegade, which offered multiple roof options. The Cherokee boasted an optional panoramic sunroof that spanned the entire top surface, adding to its charm.

From the front, the Cherokee stood out in a sea of crossover SUVs, boasting a striking resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee. This set it apart, making it difficult to lose in a crowded parking lot.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, meanwhile, came in six trim levels: base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring, starting at $25,195 for the base model and topping out at $35,295 for the Touring trim. The vehicle came standard with all-wheel drive, and Subaru offered various dealer-installed accessories.

The Wilderness trim, in particular, was evaluated. Painted white with a dark gray interior featuring water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, it emphasized durability over luxury. While its rugged aesthetic might not appeal to everyone, notably with the matte-black hood decal and oversized protective cladding that made it resemble a raccoon on wheels, it did cater to those who modified their Foresters for a more rugged and trendy “overlanding” look.

Internally, aside from copper-colored stitching and accents, the Forester maintained a functional and straightforward design, prioritizing practicality over flair. The interior combined hard plastic with soft surfaces, creating a cabin that felt both well-constructed and somewhat dated. However, users appreciated the easy-to-navigate layout and intuitive controls, despite the less-than-ideal three-display screen setup.

Overall, the 2022 Forester had a well-made feel, and its new front styling improved its appearance. Though the Wilderness trim had features that were not universally appealing, they added to the vehicle’s utilitarian character.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine choices depending on the trim level. The base Latitude and Latitude Plus came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The next step up was a 3.2-liter V-6 engine, which significantly increased the output to 271 horsepower. The top-level engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the V-6's torque figure of 239 pound-feet.

Despite the variety of engines, none offered exceptional acceleration. Various tests of a similar 2019 Cherokee indicated zero to 60 mph times of about 7.2 seconds with the V6 and 7.4 seconds with the turbo-four. These were decent, but not outstanding numbers for drivers seeking thrill-inducing acceleration.

Every Cherokee model came equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which had evolved into a capable and fuel-efficient option over time, surpassing the performance of many competitors’ continuously variable transmissions (CVTs).

When it came to off-road capability, the Jeep Cherokee excelled, particularly the Trailhawk model. The Trailhawk's performance on trails was impressive, attributed to features such as Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control, making it adept in maneuvering through rugged terrain. Unlike the more specialized Wrangler, the Cherokee also offered FWD versions for a lower entry price, making it appealing to rental fleets.

Conversely, the 2022 Subaru Forester offered a single engine option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. While this engine was adequate at lower altitudes, it felt sluggish at higher elevations where the thinner atmosphere hampered performance. The absence of a turbocharger meant the engine had to work harder, and its lack was felt, especially compared to competitors offering turbo-hybrid options.

All Foresters came with a CVT and AWD. The Wilderness trim featured a CVT design enhancing initial torque and improved towing capacity from 1,500 pounds to 3,000 pounds. According to the EPA, the Forester Wilderness was rated at 26 mpg in combined driving, and during real-world testing in central Oregon, it averaged around 25.9 mpg.

The Forester’s CVT featured eight programmed ratios and rarely drew attention to itself. The Wilderness trim's SI-Drive system added some liveliness to the driving experience, but a turbo option was still notably absent.

Aside from engine performance, the Forester had a dual-function X-Mode system with settings for different terrains, improving its capabilities on various surfaces. The Wilderness model's suspension lift increased ground clearance to 9.2 inches, improving its off-road angles and performance. During testing on different terrains, the Forester excelled, handling rough conditions with ease.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee found its place between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee within the Jeep lineup, placing it in the compact crossover segment alongside vehicles like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. In comparison to its class, the Cherokee lagged in utility. With only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, it fell behind competitors like the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage in terms of luggage capacity.

However, the Cherokee did offer about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it slightly more spacious than some competitors in terms of seating area. The interior layout was simple and functional, avoiding unnecessary complexity or a pretense of luxury. Trim levels greatly influenced the interior experience, ranging from basic rubberized black plastic in the Latitude trim to perforated Nappa leather in the Latitude Lux trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality and practicality. Its tall seating points made entry and exit easy, catering to a more diverse range of users. The Forester Wilderness trim had water-resistant StarTex upholstery and all-weather mats, making it easy to clean after outdoor adventures, though it lacked seat ventilation.

The Forester's upgraded roof rails could hold up to a 220-pound dynamic load and an 800-pound static load, accommodating a three-person roof tent for camping. The interior comfort was high, with ample front and rear seating space. Rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports increased passenger comfort.

In terms of cargo space, the Forester offered 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, both slightly more than the Cherokee. With the rear seats down, it provided up to 74.2 cubic feet (with the sunroof, 69.1 cubic feet), which was competitive with the roomiest compact SUVs.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis Uconnect infotainment system, available in 7-inch and 8.4-inch touchscreens, depending on the trim. This system was praised for its user-friendly interface, easy access to controls, and intuitive design. Functions like heated seat controls were always accessible without navigating through multiple menus. Uconnect supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot, with the option for remote start. The seamless experience across different Stellantis vehicles was a significant advantage.

On the other hand, the 2022 Subaru Forester's base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and HD Radio. Higher trims came with an 8-inch screen, adding navigation and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The Forester Wilderness also had a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading.

The Forester’s infotainment system was generally effective, with a user-friendly layout, though the voice recognition system had mixed results. The inclusion of the PIN Code Access feature was a boon for outdoor enthusiasts, allowing them to leave the key fob inside the vehicle and use a PIN code to re-enter.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not achieve a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though it received “Good” scores in all crashworthiness categories and a G+ score for the LATCH system’s ease of use. The Cherokee’s headlights varied in rating, with higher trims receiving “Acceptable” ratings and others “Marginal” due to inadequate lighting performance. NHTSA awarded the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight reduction for front driver-side crash protection.

The Cherokee came standard with several advanced safety features, including lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was available only on the Limited and Trailhawk trims and as an optional package on the Trailhawk.

The 2022 Subaru Forester boasted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system with a wider field of vision and enhanced accuracy. The system included automatic emergency steering, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. EyeSight 4.0 demonstrated fewer false warnings and more confident operation, though a glitch was observed with safety system warnings during one engine restart.

Standard and available safety features on the Forester included a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology monitoring driver drowsiness and distraction, was standard on the Touring trim.

NHTSA awarded the 2022 Forester a five-star overall crash-test rating, with five-star scores in all but rollover resistance, which received a four-star rating. Although IIHS had not yet rated the 2022 model, it was expected to retain the 2021 model’s Top Safety Pick+ rating.