2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its redesign in 2019, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely carrying over from its previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to follow the adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim level appeared plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but the Forester's clean and unpretentious look stood out among compact crossovers. The Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with complementary paint colors like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand years of use. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and heated features. The Forester's interior was functional, with a mix of cloth and leather options depending on the trim level, and an All-Weather Package that included heated front seats and exterior mirrors.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler required buyers to choose between the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model. Engine options included a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid, with a six-speed manual transmission standard on the turbo-four and V6 engines. The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions offering various top options and the Sky One-Touch Power-Top.

Our test vehicle, the High Tide special edition, was based on the four-door Sport S trim and included features like LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, and a Gorilla Glass windshield. The Xtreme Recon package added a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, and 35-inch BF Goodrich tires. The High Tide model also included a gasoline V6 engine with eTorque mild hybrid electrification, an automatic transmission, and Selec-Trac full-time 4WD. Despite its high price, the Wrangler's interior remained basic, emphasizing durability over luxury.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a single powertrain: 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. Subaru quoted a 1,500-pound maximum towing capacity, with Trailer Stability Assist as standard. While the power felt adequate for most situations, it lacked the thrust needed for highway merging or overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds.

The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride that absorbed bumps well but led to poor body control and significant body roll in corners. The standard all-wheel drive (AWD) system included X-Mode for different surfaces, with Dual X-Mode available on Sport models. The Forester offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance and hill-descent control on Premium and higher trims, making it capable on mud and dirt but not suited for serious off-roading.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide had a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system was ideal for slippery conditions. The EPA estimated 21 mpg in combined driving, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced this to an average of 16.8 mpg over a week of testing.

Driving the Wrangler was a unique experience, characterized by loud cabin noise, vague steering, a rough ride, and touchy brakes. Despite these traits, the Wrangler's off-road capabilities and immersive driving experience made it a beloved vehicle for enthusiasts. The Wrangler's open-top design allowed drivers to connect with their surroundings, making every drive an adventure.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feeling. The Forester had 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing competitors like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench and wireless charging. The Forester's interior featured large knobs for audio and climate control, but the steering wheel had an overwhelming number of buttons.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter individuals. The manual height adjuster for the driver's seat required frequent readjustment. The Wrangler's seats were comfortable, with durable cloth upholstery and a mix of plastic and rubber materials. Visibility was a mixed bag, with some areas requiring drivers to lean forward or rely on the reversing camera. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry challenges but enjoyed good visibility and amenities like air conditioning vents and cupholders.

Storage in the Wrangler was limited, with netting on the door panels and small compartments. The tailgate, with its heavy 35-inch spare wheel, required careful handling. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the seat folded.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's standard Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while higher trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional screens displayed secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, featured a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 system offered satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but the basic setup met most needs. The Wrangler included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

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 EyeSight features included 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 Forester's driver-monitoring system, DriverFocus, ensured drivers remained attentive.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group, adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Wrangler's crash-test ratings were mediocre, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings from the IIHS. Safety features were optional, and the Wrangler required careful driving.