2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out in the crowded midsize SUV market with its distinctive design. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille gave it a commanding presence. The character line along the side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and Lexus-like taillights added to its appeal. The Highlander XSE trim, with its aggressive front end and 20-inch wheels, aimed to blend sportiness with practicality, though it leaned more towards luxury, especially in the Limited trim. Inside, the Highlander impressed with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and elegant wood details, making it a comfortable and upscale choice for families.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in the Wilderness trim, emphasized functionality and ruggedness. The Forester's design, with its suspension lift, higher ride height, and protective cladding, gave it a rugged, overlanding look. Inside, the Forester focused on practicality with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat. The interior, though somewhat dated, exuded quality and clarity of purpose. The Forester's tall seating position and excellent visibility added to its appeal, making it a practical choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable family car. While it wasn't designed for high-speed thrills, it provided adequate power for highway merging and daily driving. The Highlander's suspension leaned towards comfort, though the XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning for a slightly more engaging driving experience.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The Forester's continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive provided a smooth and capable driving experience. The Wilderness trim, with its enhanced CVT and increased towing capacity, offered improved off-road capabilities. The Forester's fuel economy was competitive, averaging 25.9 mpg during testing. While it lacked the power of a turbocharged engine, the Forester's driving dynamics were pleasing, especially with the dual-function X-Mode system for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and practicality. It featured large shelves ahead of the front seats, ample legroom for second-row passengers, and flexible seating arrangements. However, the rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, which could be uncomfortable for middle-row passengers. The Highlander offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality with easy entry and exit, water-resistant upholstery, and practical storage solutions. The Forester's tall seating position provided excellent visibility, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Forester's squared-off cargo area and new cargo hooks added to its practicality.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the navigation system struggled with points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard, and the JBL audio system provided good sound quality. The 12.3-inch screen, while visually impressive, limited certain apps to an 8-inch rectangle.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on base trims, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. The Wilderness trim added a 180-degree forward-view camera, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The PIN Code Access feature allowed for keyless entry, making it convenient for outdoor activities.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced EyeSight 4.0, with improved camera-based technology and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. EyeSight 4.0 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 added DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.