2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe sported a sophisticated design that neither offended nor excited at first glance. The test vehicle, dressed in Selenite Gray paint, sat on 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and featured polished brightwork that enhanced its refined yet athletic aesthetics. Reminiscent of a high-end athletic sneaker, this vehicle's styling from a front three-quarter perspective could conjure different feelings, often leaning towards the dynamic and upscale vibe.

Inside, the GLE Coupe offered a lavish experience with top-tier materials. Its cabin boasted dual-screen instrumentation with an infotainment design that seamlessly blended technology and elegance. The sample vehicle came with Nappa premium leather, Dinamica simulated suede headliner and steering wheel, and brushed aluminum trim, all contributing to an opulent interior atmosphere. Ambient lighting at night further accentuated this sense of luxury.

In stark contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized utility over luxury. Our test model, the new-for-2022 Forester Wilderness, wore a white paint job with a dark gray interior characterized by water-repellant StarTex simulated leather. It featured rugged aesthetics, including suspension lifts, protective cladding, a matte-black hood decal, and higher ground clearance. While it might not win style contests, the Forester's design was practical and purpose-driven.

Once inside, the cabin of the Forester leaned heavily on functionality. Hard plastics and simple, durable surfaces melded with the practicality of water-repellant seats and washable rear seatbacks. The copper-colored stitching offered a splash of color but remained true to the vehicle's no-frills design ethos. Forester's intuitive layout meant a cabin that was easy to navigate, albeit with a somewhat dated feel.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe came equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine pushing out 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 to 5,800 rpm. Adding EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, contributed to both power and fuel savings. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 19 mpg, while our test yielded 18.5 mpg.

The Mercedes put forth an engaging driving experience, courtesy of a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive (AWD) system with variable torque distribution. With several driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, drivers could tailor the SUV’s responsiveness. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension ensured stability and managed body motion efficiently, even on challenging roads.

On the flip side, the 2022 Subaru Forester persisted with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. While not as potent as the GLE's powertrain, it was adequate for daily driving situations. All Foresters featured a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and AWD. The new Wilderness trim, however, boasted a more rugged tuning, including an increased torque supply and doubled towing capacity of 3,000 pounds via this CVT.

Fuel efficiency for the Forester Wilderness was estimated by the EPA at 26 mpg in combined driving. Our experience yielded nearly the same at 25.9 mpg. The vehicle felt reasonably energetic most of the time, thanks to enhanced off-the-line performance and Sport mode in its SI-Drive system. However, its lack of a turbocharger was apparent, particularly at higher altitudes where engine power felt significantly diminished.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe excelled in front seat comfort, offering numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and a massage feature. Rear visibility was rather poor, thus relying heavily on the suite of available cameras. The back seat provided enough legroom and headspace for adult occupants, though ideal for short trips. Cargo space was generous with 27.5 cubic feet available, expanding to 63.2 cubic feet with rear seats folded.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized practical functionality over luxury. Entering and exiting were easy due to the taller hip points of the seats. The cabin featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather mats, and a washable cargo area—all tailored for adventurous undertakings. Despite lacking ventilated seats, the Forester offered comfort and resilience against grime.

Forester’s rear seats were spacious, comfortably seating two adults and accommodating three if required. Cargo volume stood at 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Lower those rear seats, and capacity expanded to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), placing it squarely among the most accommodating in its class. The squared-off cargo area proved more practically shaped than the racier GLE Coupe's.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe featured the advanced MBUX infotainment system, comprised of dual 12.3-inch displays featuring a digital cluster and touchscreen. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes Me connected services, along with a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Burmester surround-sound audio system. Despite the initial steep learning curve, the system boasted user-friendly navigation, stunning visuals, and a robust natural voice recognition assistant.

Optional upgrades such as the MBUX Interior Assistant, augmented video for navigation, and an enhanced Burmester 3D audio system further elevated the technological experience. One drawback was the touchpad on the center console, which could easily be activated by mistake.

Conversely, the Subaru Forester offered a simpler, more utilitarian tech package. Even the base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. The Premium trim brought added connectivity through a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, while higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim was equipped with a convenient 180-degree forward-view camera, especially handy when off-roading.

While the sound system produced clarity and richness, the navigation occasionally had hiccups, particularly in rural off-road areas where a breadcrumb trail feature would have been beneficial. The voice recognition system was inconsistent but included handy features like the PIN Code Access for active users.

Safety features in the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe were extensive, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and the unique Pre Safe Sound feature aimed at protecting hearing during a crash. The Emergency Call Service provided free SOS support for as long as the owner possessed the vehicle.

For an additional cost, the Driver Assistance Package added 15 more safety systems, including new features like Traffic Jam Assist. The package’s technologies demonstrated remarkable precision and subtlety, contributing to driver support and collision avoidance seamlessly. Features like Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist were particularly noteworthy for their finesse and life-saving potential. Though the exact crash-test ratings for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, the standard GLE earned top ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA.

The Subaru Forester upped its safety game for 2022 with EyeSight 4.0, offering a more substantial and accurate field of vision. New additions like Automatic Emergency Steering worked well in improving vehicular stability. EyeSight 4.0 included an array of safety technologies, such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering, all of which showed improved reliability and confidence in performance.

Other standard and available features included a rear-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The DriverFocus system in the Touring trim added an extra layer of safety by monitoring for driver drowsiness and distraction. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Forester a 5-star overall rating, with only a 4-star rating in rollover resistance. It was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.