2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester had a distinctive yet familiar look, having undergone a redesign for the 2019 model year. The design elements essentially carried over from its predecessor, most notably the taillights with a distinctive cross shape. Subaru seemed to follow the philosophy of not fixing something that isn’t broken. Its boxy and upright shape was precisely what many SUV shoppers sought. The base trim, although slightly plain with its 17-inch steel wheels (17-inch alloy wheels also available), showcased an unpretentious and clean look.

Forester Sport models offered some visual flair, including orange striping around the body’s lower edges and black 18-inch alloy wheels. Our test Forester Sport in Dark Blue Pearl stood out aesthetically. The Forester sported a rugged stance due to its shared underpinnings with several other Subaru models, using the Subaru Global Platform.

Internally, the Forester maintained a no-nonsense mix of durable materials. The Sport trim added colored trim and cross-stitching in orange. Cloth upholstery came standard in Base, Premium, and Sport models, while Limited and Touring trims boasted leather upholstery. The All-Weather Package introduced heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer in Premium trims and above.

In comparison, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee presented a fresh yet familiar design, evolving from the extended-length Grand Cherokee L from the previous year. Jeep's signature design elements like the seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches were evident. The new model took inspiration from the classic 1963 Wagoneer with elements like the forward-leaning grille and tapered rear roof pillars.

Available in Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims, the Grand Cherokee’s features and aesthetics varied vastly across models. Prices ranged from $37,390 to $63,365, excluding a $1,795 destination charge. Jeep offered variations like a sleek black roof option and assured more paint colors to arrive.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the '21 Grand Cherokee L. Even the base Laredo trim with cloth seats emanated a sense of quality. Higher trims like the Summit Reserve included premium leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and an impressive McIntosh audio system. Matte black finishes in lower trims offered functionality over fancy but avoided some of the reflective issues seen in high-gloss control finishes.

The 2021 Subaru Forester housed a singular powertrain option— a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), employed a boxer configuration, offering a lower center of gravity. Subaru's all-wheel drive (AWD) came as a standard, which was a distinct facet of the Forester. Unfortunately, the SUV’s maximum towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, and the absence of a turbocharged option left some longing for more power.

In practice, the Forester felt adequately powered for most scenarios but lacked the punch for quick highway merges or overtaking. We noticed significant wind noise at higher speeds, and the suspension tuning, while soaking up bumps, led to substantial body roll and bounce on uneven surfaces. However, features like X-Mode and Dual X-Mode in sport trims, along with a respectable ground clearance of 8.7 inches, allowed the Forester to handle various surfaces better than many compact crossovers.

For the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the performance options were more varied and robust. Jeep offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations, powered by either a 3.6-liter V6 engine or a 5.7-liter V8 engine. The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, sufficient for towing up to 6,200 pounds. The optional V8, available only with 4WD on higher trims, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, bumping the tow capacity to 7,200 pounds.

The Grand Cherokee also provided three 4WD systems: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varied levels of control and capability suited for different terrains. The off-road-focused Trailhawk trim stood out with features like Quadra-Drive II, electronic locking rear differential, and a Quadra-Lift air suspension that delivered up to 11.3 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capacity. This trim also had ample off-road driving aids, making it highly capable on challenging terrains. However, on pavement, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk displayed louder tire hum and a firmer suspension setup.

In terms of interior space, both vehicles catered to different needs effectively. The 2021 Subaru Forester offered generous headroom and legroom, thanks to its tall, flat roof design. This roofline also allowed for excellent outward visibility and a sense of airiness. The Forester provided 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, beating competitors like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson in total cargo space but lacking the sliding second-row bench of rivals like the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee delivered luxury and comfort, especially in higher trims. It offered features like heated and ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, and a panoramic sunroof that added an airy feel to the cabin. One design improvement aimed to enhance visibility, essential for both off-roading and regular driving. However, rear-seat legroom remained tight, making the Grand Cherokee L a better option if you frequently transported taller passengers. The Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly less than the Forester but more grandly appointed.

The 2021 Subaru Forester included the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Upgraded models got an 8-inch touchscreen and a Harman Kardon audio system, with navigation added in higher trims. The system was largely intuitive but suffered from slow boot-up times. Additionally, the Forester incorporated multiple secondary displays that provided useful information but could seem overly complex.

Contrastingly, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee embraced cutting-edge tech with gusto. Equipped with the next-gen Uconnect 5 system, the Grand Cherokee delivered a user-friendly interface and over-the-air updates. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. Most trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available as an upgrade. Jeep went above and beyond by offering additional screens, including a passenger interactive display, a digital gauge cluster, and an optional head-up display.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2021 Subaru Forester. The model earned the highest “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included Subaru’s EyeSight system, with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Optional features encompassed blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.

For the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep imbued the new model with an impressive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). While it hadn’t yet gone through extensive crash testing, the structural composition of high-strength steel and aluminum aimed to boost its safety profile significantly. Features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assistance, Intersection Collision Assist, and Active Driving Assist, with a hands-free variant scheduled for later in the model year.