2022 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, 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 models 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, giving it a rugged SUV marketing angle despite its sedan-like underpinnings. 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.

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured Kia's tiger-nose grille, which didn't quite fit the SUV's front end, giving it a somewhat awkward appearance. However, Kia nailed other design elements, from the Porsche Macan-like running lights to the Volkswagen-style rear symmetry. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels and planted stance added to its stylish look.

Inside, the Sportage adopted Germanic design cues, with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and plain white-on-black instrumentation. The SX Turbo trim included metal pedal covers and offered a choice of black, gray, or beige interiors. The cabin was user-friendly, with buttons and knobs for easy adjustments, and the transmission shifter's solid feel added a sense of quality.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a single powertrain option: 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. Subaru quoted a 1,500-pound towing capacity, with standard Trailer Stability Assist. While the power felt adequate, it lacked the thrust needed for highway merging and 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 but suffered from poor body control and significant body roll in corners. The standard all-wheel-drive system, with X-Mode for different surfaces, was a standout feature, along with 8.7 inches of ground clearance. However, for serious off-roading, alternatives like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk were better suited.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the SX Turbo, producing 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with the option of Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system.

The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque available from 1,450 to 3,500 rpm, giving it a lively feel, especially in Sport mode. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth and compliant ride, with the SX Turbo featuring upgraded brakes and 19-inch wheels. While the Sportage felt athletic in turns, the steering could have been sharper, and the tires offered limited grip.

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 roomy 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 and had a small phone-storage cubby. The power liftgate was available on higher trims, and the interior featured practical storage solutions.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, despite its smaller size, had a roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim offered perforated leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. Cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 60.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The smart liftgate feature was convenient but could be turned off if not needed.

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. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, and navigation. The system was user-friendly, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional screens displayed secondary information, which seemed redundant.

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trims included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo added wireless charging and a Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was easy to use, but the UVO Link system lacked advanced features like a WiFi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

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 and reverse automatic braking.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims added blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received good crash-test ratings, but only the SX Turbo earned an Acceptable headlight rating for an IIHS Top Safety Pick.