2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 GMC Terrain

In 2022, the GMC Terrain received a stylish facelift that included updated front styling, new wheel designs, and revamped taillights, alongside refreshed interior trim. The introduction of the AT4 trim added a rugged touch with a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and protective elements like a steel skid plate for mild off-road adventures. Despite these enhancements, the Terrain’s interior, particularly in the AT4 model priced over $40,000, failed to wholly reflect the premium craftsmanship GMC touted. Users noted some practical drawbacks to the design, such as ineffectively sized storage spaces and an infotainment system interface that could be more intuitive.

Conversely, the 2022 Subaru Forester maintained its focus on rugged functionality across its various trims, with the new Wilderness edition emphasizing off-road capability. Its appearance, characterized by increased ground clearance and protective cladding, catered to an outdoor-loving demographic despite its somewhat polarizing aesthetic. Inside, the Forester prioritized durability and functionality with features like water-repellant upholstery and intuitive controls, although its materials occasionally felt lower in quality.

The GMC Terrain was equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine across all trims in 2022, down from the more powerful engine options available in previous years. With 170 horsepower and a towing capacity limited to 1,500 pounds, it provided an adequate but uninspiring drive. The addition of various driving modes, including an off-road setting in the AT4, aimed to enhance versatility, though actual off-road capability was limited as evidenced by frequent undercarriage scrapes during testing.

The Subaru Forester, powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter engine producing 182 horsepower, also wasn’t designed for speed but offered a robust all-wheel-drive system enhanced in the Wilderness trim for better off-road performance. It managed a balance between day-to-day usability and adventurous needs, supporting up to 3,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped and yielding a smoother, more able off-road experience than the Terrain.

The Terrain’s interior was spacious for its class, offering 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats down. The vehicle also provided various creature comforts such as heated seats and advanced climate control options, though it lacked some ergonomic storage solutions.

On the other hand, the Forester shone with its practical interior layout and slightly greater cargo capacity of 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats down, facilitating easier loading and more versatile storage solutions. Its interior design focused on durability and ease of maintenance, ideal for the target audience that might track in mud or moisture from outdoor activities.