2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that offered practicality and style, making it a popular choice for families. Its sliding side doors provided easy access, especially in tight parking spaces, and the comfortable third-row seating ensured that even adults could travel without discomfort. The Odyssey's design, while adhering to traditional minivan aesthetics, included stylish elements like kinked sliding doors and dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels on the Elite trim. Inside, the Odyssey featured a classic open-concept design with quality materials and a user-friendly layout, making it a comfortable and functional choice for family travel.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with a design that emphasized simplicity and substance. Its boxy shape and robust roof rails made it a practical choice for outdoor enthusiasts. The Forester's interior offered a range of features, from cloth upholstery in the Premium trim to luxurious leather in the Touring trim. The cabin provided excellent visibility, thanks to its tall glass and thin windshield pillars, making it easy to drive and park. While the Forester's design was not flashy, it was well-suited for those who valued practicality and ease of use.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This front-wheel-drive minivan offered a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes were prone to heating up during extended downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. Despite this, the Odyssey delivered a respectable fuel economy of 22.6 mpg during testing, although it lacked the hybrid options available in some competitors.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The Forester's driving dynamics were impressive, with a comfortable yet communicative ride and responsive handling. It excelled in adverse weather conditions, providing confidence and stability. However, the engine's performance was merely adequate, and the Forester fell short of its EPA fuel economy rating, achieving 25.9 mpg during testing. While a turbocharged engine would have been desirable, the Forester's overall driving experience was enjoyable and capable.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and versatile interior, with easy entry and exit due to its low ride height. The Elite trim featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, along with a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seat provided ample comfort for adults. With 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the seats removed, the Odyssey excelled in cargo capacity, making it an ideal choice for families with extensive storage needs.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized practicality, with a focus on functionality and ease of use. Its interior offered a range of features, from a panoramic sunroof and heated seats in the Premium trim to leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control in higher trims. The Forester's cabin provided excellent visibility and easy entry and exit, although the rear seats could have offered more leg support. With 26.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 74.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, the Forester offered competitive cargo capacity for a compact SUV, making it a versatile choice for outdoor adventures.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with a range of technology features, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, its infotainment system was considered outdated compared to rivals, with a lack of modern rear-seat entertainment options. The Odyssey's CabinWatch and CabinTalk features allowed for easy communication with rear passengers, while the rear-seat entertainment system provided basic media playback. Despite these features, the Odyssey's technology package was in need of an upgrade to remain competitive in the segment.

The 2023 Subaru Forester offered a user-friendly technology package, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a premium Harman Kardon audio system. While the Forester's voice-recognition system was unreliable, its physical controls and intuitive interface made it easy to use. The Forester's technology package was practical and straightforward, providing essential features without unnecessary complexity.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. While these features provided valuable assistance, they lacked refinement and could be overly sensitive. The Odyssey received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety performance.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system, offering improved driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies. With features like Automatic Emergency Steering and Rear Automatic Braking, the Forester provided advanced safety capabilities. However, some systems, like the RAB, could be overly sensitive. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, demonstrating its commitment to safety.