2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its redesign in 2019, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely due to its continuation of the previous generation's styling. The most notable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. 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 look was clean and unpretentious. The Forester 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. The Forester shared its Subaru Global Platform with other models, emphasizing its rugged SUV marketing, though it shared underpinnings with sedans and hatchbacks. Inside, the Forester's no-nonsense interior featured durable materials, with the Sport trim adding orange accents. Cloth upholstery was standard on lower trims, while leather was available on higher trims, and an All-Weather Package added heated features.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, a hallmark of Land Rover's luxury SUVs. Its design was a scaled-down version of the big Range Rover's profile, with a sporty, lowered package. The Velar's long wheelbase, short overhangs, and signature Land Rover grille were unmistakable. Subtle design elements, like the sloping roof and wide shoulder crease, created a streamlined yet blocky appearance. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. The interior was equally impressive, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's three screens, including two touchscreens and a reconfigurable instrument panel, featured sophisticated graphics. Upper trims offered additional luxury with extra leather and softer headliners. The Velar's design was a testament to Land Rover's commitment to style and luxury, even in its base trim.

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. The Forester had a 1,500-pound towing capacity and standard Trailer Stability Assist. While adequate for most situations, the engine lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking. The suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with noticeable body roll and bounce. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, with a sophisticated drivetrain featuring X-Mode for different surfaces. Sport models offered Dual X-Mode with additional modes. The Forester had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capability, though serious off-roaders might prefer alternatives like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering improved handling and steering compared to previous Land Rovers. The lower center of gravity and lighter weight contributed to better cornering and braking. The optional air suspension with adaptive dampers provided a plush ride and could raise the body for increased clearance. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, including a Dynamic mode. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system delivered 340 to 395 horsepower, depending on the trim. This powertrain offered high performance while reducing emissions. The Velar's off-road capability was limited compared to larger Range Rover models, but it excelled as a street-oriented luxury SUV.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered generous headroom and legroom for five passengers, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel, though it allowed sunlight to raise cabin temperatures. The Forester's cargo space was impressive, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. It surpassed competitors like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson in cargo capacity with the seats down. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench and wireless charging. The Forester's interior featured decently sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was small. The controls were user-friendly, with large knobs for audio and climate control, though the steering wheel had an overwhelming number of buttons.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for aesthetics. A notable design flaw was the lack of a discrete parking brake control, replaced by a multifunctional P button. This change was confusing and potentially dangerous in emergencies. The Velar's new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability with a simplified layout and faster response. The steering wheel lost touch-sensitive controls, enhancing functionality. Despite some design missteps, the Velar's interior remained luxurious and stylish.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured the Subaru Starlink infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and USB ports. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio, while higher trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls. However, the screen was slow to boot up. The Forester also had a secondary screen in the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying redundant information.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system exceeded expectations with its reliability and user-friendly interface. The system featured a logical layout with customizable options and a voice assistant. Additional features included a PM2.5 air filter, heated windshield, and advanced navigation with traffic detours. The 4x4 app provided off-road information, and the 360-degree cameras offered a 3D view. The instrument panel displayed full-width maps and reconfigurable gauges. While the driving assist display lacked detail, the adaptive cruise control with steering assist was standard. The Velar's technology package was comprehensive and advanced.

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 featured Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Forester also offered a driver-monitoring system, unique among mainstream brands. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert. EyeSight's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering functions were adequate, though the latter's steering inputs were jerky.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked U.S. crash-test ratings but performed well in European NCAP tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist. While the Velar's safety package was comprehensive, it lacked the detailed crash-test ratings available for the Forester.