2021 INFINITI QX50 vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance due to its carryover styling from the previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru's decision to maintain the boxy, upright shape was likely a strategic move to appeal to SUV shoppers who favor this traditional design. The Forester Sport model, with its orange striping, rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, added a touch of flair, especially when paired with a complementary paint color like Dark Blue Pearl. The interior of the Forester was practical, featuring durable materials designed to withstand years of use. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and additional comfort features.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 stood out in the luxury compact crossover segment with its distinctive design and advanced engineering. The large honeycomb grille and athletic hood bulges gave it a sporty appearance, further emphasized by the panoramic moonroof that brightened the cabin. However, the thick B-pillars and short rear window slightly hindered visibility. The interior was luxurious, with soft-touch materials, aluminum trim, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The front seats offered heating and cooling, enhancing comfort in various weather conditions. The QX50's design elements, such as the crooked chrome strip, added character, aligning it with other models in Infiniti's lineup.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. However, the power felt merely adequate, especially during highway merging or overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride but poor body control and noticeable body roll in corners. Standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and X-Mode enhanced its off-road capabilities, but it wasn't designed for serious off-roading. The Forester's towing capacity was 1,500 pounds, with Trailer Stability Assist as standard.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, mated to a CVT. The unique VC-Turbo engine adjusted the compression ratio for a balance of power and efficiency. The engine operated smoothly, though the CVT's simulated shift points aimed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The QX50's drive mode selector offered Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal modes, adjusting various vehicle parameters. Sport mode provided brisk acceleration and increased steering effort, while Eco mode prioritized fuel efficiency at the expense of performance.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered generous headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a spacious feel. Cargo space was ample, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench. The Forester's interior featured practical storage solutions, though the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average-size phone, and wireless charging was not available. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs for audio and climate control, but the steering wheel had an overwhelming number of buttons.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50's interior felt spacious, with ample hip, shoulder, and headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for flexible cargo space. The cargo area offered 31.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly more in models without the moonroof. The QX50 included numerous storage options and charging ports, enhancing its practicality. The interior was well-appointed, with soft-touch materials and a user-friendly layout.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came standard with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, and rear USB ports. The system was easy to use, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, though the setup felt overly complex.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured the InTouch infotainment system with dual display screens—an 8-inch upper LCD and a 7-inch lower color unit. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker audio system. Higher trims added a 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system and ProPilot Assist, an advanced driving assistance system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with seamless smartphone integration and a powerful audio system. The Around View Monitor with moving-object detection enhanced parking and maneuvering in tight spaces.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included the EyeSight suite, with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight system performed adequately, though lane-centering inputs felt jerky.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, predictive forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Higher trims added lane-departure prevention, blind-spot intervention, and traffic sign recognition. The QX50 received a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for moderate overlap front and side crash protection. The vehicle's safety systems performed reliably, with no false warnings during testing.