2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that visually tied it to the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro callbacks, the design was thoroughly modern, featuring rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave the Defender a unique personality. The modern Defender was also much larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and improved ergonomics.

Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern comfort. The upright driving position of the original was replaced with a more comfortable setup that still provided good outward visibility. The interior design included bare metal and exposed screws for a rugged look, complemented by metal trim on the steering wheel. Even high-end models like the Defender 90 V8 mixed leather upholstery with suede, making it more practical for off-road adventures without worrying about ruining the interior.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in various trims, including base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring, with prices starting at $25,195 and topping out at $35,295 for the Touring model. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured a white exterior, dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945. With additional options like a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and power rear liftgate, the test vehicle's price reached $36,014.

The Forester's exterior design was functional but not particularly attractive, especially in the Wilderness trim with its suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding. Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces that exuded quality construction. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens could be confusing. Overall, the Forester felt well-made, and the new front styling improved its looks in most trims, though the Wilderness's rugged details were less appealing.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, and a new-for-2022 V8 engine producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft. The V8 could accelerate the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.

The Defender's V8 model featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was impressively comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,201 pounds, surpassing many similarly sized luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters had a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25%. This CVT also doubled the Wilderness's towing capacity to 3,000 pounds.

The Forester's fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg in combined driving by the EPA, and during testing in central Oregon, it averaged 25.9 mpg. The engine's performance was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode improved the driving experience, but a turbocharger would have been beneficial. The dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension enhanced the Forester's off-road capabilities, with the Wilderness trim offering improved ground clearance and approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access in the two-door Defender 90. The four-door Defender 110 offered more versatility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied, with three-row models offering 11.4 cubic feet with all seats in place and up to 70.4 cubic feet with seats folded. Two-row versions provided 18.1 cubic feet with rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with seats folded.

The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a spacious center-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes that mounted to the side pillars, enhancing the Defender's cargo-carrying capabilities.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery in the Wilderness trim was water-resistant, and the vehicle included all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable material on the rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, suitable for a three-person roof tent.

The Forester's interior offered high comfort levels, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports for passengers. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof) with the rear seats folded. The Wilderness trim included a full-size spare under the cargo floor, enhancing its practicality for outdoor adventures.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came standard with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was particularly useful for off-roading.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services in the base trim. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle's navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been beneficial for off-road navigation. The PIN Code Access feature allowed drivers to leave the key fob in the vehicle and re-enter using a PIN code, ideal for outdoor activities.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, 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 featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.