2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a significant evolution from its predecessor, the original Hyundai Ioniq, which debuted in 2016 as the first vehicle in the world to be offered in three electrified variants. However, for 2022, Hyundai decided to focus on the Ioniq as a standalone brand dedicated solely to EVs. Thus, the Ioniq 5 became the inaugural model for this new lineup, sporting a curious blend of futuristic and retro design cues.

Hyundai’s vision of electrified mobility was evident from the Ioniq 5’s polished exterior that featured minimal character lines. Instead of ostentatious sheet metal contours, the Ioniq 5 embraced a Parametric Pixel design reminiscent of 8-bit video games. Pixels could be seen in all the lighting elements—headlights, taillights, daytime running lights, and turn signals. Despite this playful design, there were moments when the multitude of pixels seemed excessive, blurring the line between concept and production car.

Other exterior elements showcased Hyundai's attention to detail, such as aerodynamic wheels with an ornamental design extending into the fender flares and silver-contrast plastic bits along the vehicle’s bottom half. The cabin design was a stark contrast to the exterior; it was simple yet inviting, featuring hues of black, gray, and dark green. Hyundai aptly named this interior theme “Living Space,” emphasizing relaxation and comfort. This concept was further accentuated by the “Relaxation” mode for the driver's seat, allowing for zero-gravity resting positions when parked.

Sustainability was a core theme throughout the Ioniq 5’s interior, with stain-resistant cloth seats as standard and leatherette upholstery in higher trims. Recycled materials were used in the door inserts, armrests, seats, and various bio-materials in the carpet, dashboard, and headliner. Pixelated designs reappeared in subtle interior elements like the steering wheel and door inserts, making the Ioniq 5 unique but balanced.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Subaru Forester, available in multiple trims including the new Wilderness variant, focused on rugged functionality. The Wilderness trim showcased a suspension lift and higher ground clearance, adding a total of 9.2 inches. The exterior featured protective cladding and a matte-black hood decal, which, while adding a rugged touch, didn’t necessarily enhance its aesthetics. People could liken it to a raccoon on wheels, with its oversized cladding deviating from more appealing rugged customizations.

Internally, the Forester emphasized utility over flash. Copper-colored stitching and accents provided subtle design aspects, while the interior materials were durable, leaning towards hard plastics and soft surfaces. While these elements lent a utilitarian feel, they also imparted a somewhat dated ambiance. Nevertheless, the Forester’s comfortable seats and high-quality construction made up for its lack of luxurious materials.

The 2022 Forester also retained its user-friendly 8-inch Starlink infotainment system, though the triple-screen setup could be confusing. It’s a vehicle where functionality and practicality took precedence over form, making the Forester a solid choice for those who valued ease of use over aesthetic flair.

Performance-wise, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 aimed to strike a balance between robust power and range efficiency. Available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, the Ioniq 5 came in rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard with an all-wheel drive (AWD) option. The base SE Standard Range featured a single 128-kW rear motor delivering 168 horsepower and an offering of 220 miles of range, though it wasn’t available until spring 2022. The extended-range versions with RWD were powered by a 168-kW motor offering 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, boasting a maximum range of 303 miles per charge.

Opting for AWD meant a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, though the range slightly decreased to 256 miles. Although Hyundai didn’t target driving enthusiasts, the Ioniq 5’s Sport mode injected excitement by re-tuning the torque split and adjusting the steering weight. However, high-energy driving substantially drained the battery, so users had to balance fun with range considerations.

The single-speed transmission used paddle shifters to adjust regenerative braking levels, providing four regen modes and an engaging i-Pedal setting for one-pedal driving. Hyundai focused on reducing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) with noise-absorption materials and acoustic tires, resulting in a remarkably quiet ride.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, retained its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The engine, paired with a continually variable transmission (CVT) and standard AWD, provided reliable but unremarkable acceleration. The Wilderness model featured a CVT design that increased initial torque supply by 25%, improving off-the-line performance and doubling towing capacity from 1,500 to 3,000 pounds.

Although the Forester’s powertrain lacked the vigor of a turbocharger, its driving dynamics and on-road performance were adequate, especially in Sport mode with SI-Drive. The dual-function X-Mode system improved traction and speed management on challenging terrains. The re-tuned suspension and raised ground clearance in the Wilderness trim allowed the Forester to traverse rough terrains with relative ease.

The Forester’s utility shone through during various road tests, including off-road courses and minimally maintained forest roads where it excelled thanks to its rugged design and high ground clearance. However, at speeds above 65 mph, wind noise was noticeable.

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 sat on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), maximizing interior space with its generous wheelbase of 118.1 inches. Larger than competitors like the Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4, the Ioniq 5 had a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet and passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet. However, its rear cargo area measured 27.2 cubic feet, trailing behind competitors.

Inside, the Living Space concept allowed a flexible, comfortable experience. The absence of a center console partition and the addition of moveable islands created generous space for storage and ease of movement. The retro bench seat further facilitated entry and exit options. Comfortable leatherette seats and ample soft-touch points solidified the Ioniq 5’s user-centric interior design.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester focused on pure functionality. Its tall seating hip points facilitated easy entry and exit. StarTex upholstery provided a water-resistant and durable interior, essential for rugged, outdoorsy activities. While moisture retention could be an issue without ventilation, the Forester catered to those preferring robust over luxury.

The upgraded roof rails catered to adventurous needs, accommodating up to a 220-pound dynamic load and an 800-pound static load, suitable for roof tents. The boxed-off cargo area offered 28.9 cubic feet at the rear, extendable to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats down. This made the Forester spacious enough to compete with roomiest compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V and larger than the Mazda CX-5.

Hyundai equipped the Ioniq 5 with cutting-edge technology, starting with a high-voltage, energy-dense system supporting 800-volt charging. Its vehicle-to-load capabilities allowed it to power homes or other EVs. An 80 percent battery charge could be achieved within 18 minutes using ultra-fast charging, while 68 miles of range could be added in just 5 minutes with a 350-kW charger.

The Ioniq 5's multimedia system featured a Blue Link connected car app focused on EV charge management and station location, in addition to digital keys, enhanced smartphone pairing, and voice recognition powered by artificial intelligence. Two elegant 12.3-inch screens served as the instrument cluster and infotainment, ensuring visibility even with polarized sunglasses.

Subaru’s Forester provided a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services in base trim, with the Premium trim offering a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims upgraded to an 8-inch screen, enabling navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. An added forward-view camera assisted during off-road adventures.

Starlink connected services enhanced functionality with remote engine start through subscription plans, while a PIN Code Access feature allowed re-entry without the key fob, beneficial for outdoor activities.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5's suite of Hyundai SmartSense offered advanced safety assists like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also featured Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control to mirror the driver’s tendencies. Despite its capabilities, the augmented reality HUD was often distracting during real-world usage.

Subaru introduced EyeSight 4.0 in the Forester, enhancing the camera-based system for better accuracy and smoother operation. The Automatic Emergency Steering and the new “standby” setting of X-Mode improved drive stability. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering. Touring trims benefited from DriverFocus’s facial recognition for monitoring drowsiness and distractions. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA, expected to retain a “Top Safety Pick+” from IIHS.