2021 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its redesign in 2019, retained a somewhat dated appearance due to its continuation from the previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights on the fifth-generation model. Subaru seemed to adhere to the philosophy of not fixing what wasn't broken, maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim appeared plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but the overall design was clean and unpretentious compared to other compact crossovers. The Forester Sport models added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with a complementary paint color like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback, emphasizing its rugged SUV marketing. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand wear and tear, though not particularly attractive. The Sport trim added orange accents to the interior, while higher trims offered leather upholstery. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats and other conveniences. Overall, the Forester's design was functional and straightforward, appealing to those seeking a no-nonsense SUV.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a diverse lineup with eight models, ranging from the rugged Timberline to the luxurious King Ranch. Our test vehicle, the King Ranch, featured 4WD, Rapid Red paint, and a Premium Technology package, bringing its MSRP to $59,880. Visually, the King Ranch was distinguished by its emblems, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, though it didn't stand out significantly from other trims. The Explorer's rear-drive platform allowed for a sleek design with a long hood and rakish roofline, complemented by a "floating roof" effect.

Inside, the King Ranch boasted exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts and King Ranch branding. The cabin mixed quality and questionable materials, but mostly felt worthy of its price. The Explorer's interior was comfortable, with features like triple-zone climate control, massaging front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. However, the third-row seat was cramped for adults. Storage space was limited, with missed opportunities for practical storage solutions. The King Ranch offered a hands-free power liftgate and ample cargo space, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was equipped with a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. The Forester had a 1,500-pound towing capacity and standard Trailer Stability Assist. While power was adequate, the engine lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at high speeds. The suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in poor body control and noticeable body roll in corners. However, the Forester's AWD system, standard across all models, was more sophisticated than most competitors, featuring X-Mode for different surfaces and Dual X-Mode on Sport models. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Forester handled mud and dirt better than average compact crossovers, though it wasn't suited for serious off-roading.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic and RWD or 4WD. It had a 5,300-pound towing capacity and 24 mpg combined fuel economy. The hybrid option, available on Limited and Platinum trims, combined a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor for 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, towing up to 5,000 pounds and achieving 27 mpg combined. The top-tier engine was a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, with a 5,600-pound towing capacity and 21 mpg combined. Our King Ranch test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg. The Explorer's ride was robust, handling off-road terrain with ease despite its 7.9 inches of ground clearance. The Explorer felt athletic in daily driving, with the sport-tuned ST model offering enhanced performance features.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided ample headroom and legroom for five passengers, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also allowed for excellent outward visibility and a spacious feel, though it let in a lot of sunlight. The Forester offered 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing some competitors. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on higher trims. The Forester's interior featured decently sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was too small, and wireless charging wasn't available. The controls were user-friendly, but the steering wheel had an overwhelming number of buttons.

The 2022 Ford Explorer accommodated families of four comfortably, with the option to carry five with a second-row bench seat. The third-row seat was best suited for children due to limited space. The King Ranch trim included features like triple-zone climate control, massaging front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, while the second-row seats were nearly as accommodating. However, practical storage space was lacking, with missed opportunities for additional storage solutions. The King Ranch had a hands-free power liftgate, offering 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring models added navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays showed secondary information, though the setup felt overly complex.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system: an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10.1-inch portrait-style screen. The smaller screen was well integrated, while the larger screen seemed like an afterthought. Our test vehicle had FordPass Connect, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation. The King Ranch included wireless charging, a surround-view camera, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. The Sync 3 system lagged behind the newer Sync 4, particularly in voice recognition. The King Ranch also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and Active Park Assist 2.0.

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. It came standard with EyeSight, a suite of driver-assist features including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Forester also offered a driver-monitoring system, blind-spot monitoring, and reverse automatic braking. EyeSight's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering functions performed adequately, though the latter's steering inputs were jerky.

The 2022 Ford Explorer received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings for 2022 were incomplete. It came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The Explorer also featured post-collision braking and MyKey programmable functions. The Co-Pilot360 system operated smoothly, though it occasionally lacked steering wheel sensitivity.