2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. Its interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a fresh design with a bright and sharp 11.6-inch portrait display, chrome trim, and contrasting leatherette. The Onyx Edition XT, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, added a touch of wildness to the otherwise practical and substantial interior. The exterior maintained a smooth and plain styling with high gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, emphasizing its lifted wagon design.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in the Wilderness trim, emphasized functionality over form. The interior, with its copper-colored stitching and accents, combined hard plastic and soft surfaces to create a cabin that felt both well-made and somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was intuitive, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal. The exterior, with its suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, gave the Forester a rugged look, though it was not immediately appealing. The Wilderness trim's matte-black hood decal and small 17-inch matte-black alloy wheels added to its distinctive, albeit homely, appearance.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, struggled with the vehicle's weight, especially when fully loaded. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did not help, making the Outback slow and noisy. However, the XT trim's 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, transformed the driving experience, offering smoother and quieter performance. The Outback's ride comfort and handling were excellent, thanks to its long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Subaru's electronically-variable all-wheel drive (AWD) system and X-Mode made the Outback highly capable off-road.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The CVT, with its eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive in the Wilderness trim, provided acceptable performance, though a turbocharger would have been beneficial. The Forester Wilderness's towing capacity was doubled to 3,000 pounds, thanks to a design that increased initial torque supply by 25%. The dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension, with 9.2 inches of ground clearance, improved the Forester's off-road capabilities. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive ground clearance, surpassing many larger vehicles, and provided 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom, and excellent outward visibility. Storage options were plentiful, though some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were only available on higher trims. The standard roof rails with integrated crossbars were a standout feature, offering convenience and cost savings. The 11.6-inch touchscreen, while large and responsive, complicated climate control adjustments.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit and a practical interior. The StarTex upholstery and all-weather floor mats made it easy to clean, though the material did not absorb moisture well. The upgraded roof rails with integrated tie-down locations accommodated a three-person roof tent. The Forester offered 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the rear seats provided 74.2 cubic feet of space, making it one of the roomiest compact SUVs. The interior featured decent storage options, though it lacked a dashboard shelf or tray.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, despite its dated appearance, offered modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The adaptive cruise control had four settings, though adjusting them was cumbersome. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could be impeded in certain conditions.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, even in base trim, included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and HD Radio. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim added a 180-degree forward-view camera. The PIN Code Access feature allowed for keyless entry, making it ideal for outdoor activities. The voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, and a breadcrumb function for navigation would have been useful.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Outback earned a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and for the rollover test.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced EyeSight 4.0, with improved accuracy and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also offered a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim featured DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology. The Forester earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. It was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.