2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a practical choice for those who needed the utility of a minivan but preferred the aesthetics of an SUV. It offered a range of trims from the base LS to the luxurious High Country, with prices starting at $33,700. The Traverse featured a modest ground clearance of 7.5 inches, making it suitable for light off-road conditions. The 2022 model received a subtle facelift with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with various appearance packages like the Redline Edition. Inside, the RS trim boasted black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and a user-friendly layout, though it was criticized for its hard plastic surfaces.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester maintained its utilitarian design, prioritizing function over form. It came in six trims, with prices ranging from $26,395 to $36,495. The Forester Touring trim, priced at $37,720, featured Saddle Brown leather and a host of comfort features. Its design was reminiscent of previous Forester models, with a boxy shape and practical roof rails. The interior was straightforward, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. While the Forester's appearance was busy, its control layout was intuitive, making it easy to use. The Forester's design emphasized practicality, with excellent visibility and easy entry and exit.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a single engine option, a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The Traverse delivered a firm yet comfortable ride, with a fuel economy of 20.9 mpg in combined driving. It excelled on highways, though road and wind noise were noticeable. The Traverse's handling was predictable, with limited body roll and a flat cornering attitude, but its all-season tires were less impressive.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Forester's CVT had eight programmed ratios and a Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) system with a Sport mode. Most trims included an X-Mode off-road traction management system. The Forester Touring trim handled various weather conditions with ease, thanks to its all-wheel-drive system. It offered a comfortable and communicative ride, with excellent steering and suspension tuning. However, the engine was considered merely adequate, and the Forester returned 25.9 mpg, falling short of its EPA rating.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a spacious interior, though the RS, Premier, and High Country trims were limited to seven-passenger seating due to captain's chairs. The Traverse RS featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row Smart Slide function and long rear doors facilitated access to the third row. While the third-row seat was not as comfortable as some competitors, it provided better accommodations than many rivals. The Traverse boasted ample storage space, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo capacity was generous, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over style, with a focus on practicality. The Premium trim offered features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims added leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The Forester's design provided excellent visibility and easy entry and exit. However, the panoramic sunroof's lack of tinting could lead to solar heating, and the rear seats were less comfortable for taller adults. Interior storage was plentiful, with well-sealed doors and a usefully shaped cargo area. The Forester offered 26.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 69.1 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim. It supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services like a WiFi hotspot. The RS trim featured a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The Traverse's voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, enhancing the user experience. Visibility was generally good, and the digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera were valuable features for parking and maneuvering.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology might have seemed outdated at first glance, but it offered practical features. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better choice for navigation and other tasks.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Traverse's driving aids were generally accurate and refined, though it lacked advanced systems like lane-centering assist. The IIHS had not fully assessed the Traverse's safety features, but it received top ratings in most collision tests.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system, with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Models with blind-spot monitoring included Automatic Emergency Steering, which assisted with avoiding obstacles. The Forester Wilderness and Touring trims added Rear Automatic Braking, though it could be overly sensitive. The Touring trim also had a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though it received lower scores in some new tests. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings.