2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Porsche Macan

Porsche introduced the Macan in 2015, aiming to expand its market with a smaller, more affordable SUV positioned below the Cayenne. By 2022, the Macan had undergone several updates, including styling refreshes, new wheel designs, and additional paint colors, yet it remained true to its original design. The 2022 model featured larger standard wheels, a new center console with haptic touch controls, and increased power and standard equipment across all models. The Macan S, our test vehicle, came with a price tag of $87,670, including nearly $20,000 in extras like performance upgrades and premium paint.

The Macan S exuded a sporty and upscale vibe, with its Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels. The interior, adorned with red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents, echoed Porsche's tradition of luxury and performance. The sloping clamshell hood, swollen haunches, and rakish roofline gave the Macan a taut, athletic look, emphasizing its mission to deliver maximum performance on the pavement. Inside, the Macan featured a driver-centric design with an ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel, a large tachometer, and a flat, wide dashboard.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in various trims, including the new Wilderness model, which we tested in Bend, Oregon. Priced at $33,945, the Forester Wilderness featured white paint, a dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and an option package that added a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate. The test vehicle's price totaled $36,014 with additional dealer-installed accessories.

The Forester Wilderness had a rugged appearance, with a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding. The matte-black hood decal and copper-colored accents added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality over form, with hard plastic and soft surfaces creating a cabin that exuded quality and clarity of purpose. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access to stereo, climate, and main menu shortcuts. The Forester's interior was well-made, and the new front styling improved its overall appearance.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of powerful engines. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS inherited the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 from the old Macan Turbo, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Our Macan S test car had a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, producing 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package.

All Macans came with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable all-wheel-drive system. The 2022 Macan featured re-tuned steering and suspension for improved ride and handling, with larger 20-inch standard wheels and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) adaptive damping suspension. Our test vehicle also had optional Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB). The Macan S offered a thrilling driving experience, with responsive steering, unyielding grip, and fantastic brake performance. The as-tested fuel economy was 18.1 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

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 provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA rated the Forester Wilderness at 26 mpg in combined driving, and our test vehicle averaged 25.9 mpg.

The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive for a more lively response. Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system offered improved off-road capabilities, with settings for different surfaces and better speed management during hill descents. The Wilderness model had a re-tuned suspension with longer springs and shocks, raising the ground clearance to 9.2 inches. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, from city streets to off-road trails, with its long-travel suspension absorbing bumps and maintaining good road feel.

The 2022 Porsche Macan provided a comfortable experience for the driver and front-seat passenger. Our Macan S test vehicle had 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, but the optional Adaptive Sports Seats Plus would be preferable for spirited driving. The rear seats were cramped, especially for taller passengers, but entry and exit were easy. The new steering wheel design, modeled after the 911 sports car, felt thin and uncomfortable after extended driving.

The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls looked clean but required the driver to look away from the road to use. The Macan offered limited storage space, with cargo capacity measuring 17.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery in the Wilderness model was water-resistant, and the SUV 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 was comfortable, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports for passengers. Storage space was decent, with various bins and bottle holders. Cargo capacity measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo space to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), making the Forester one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM). It included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and connected services with available WiFi hotspot access. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with optional upgrades to a Bose premium surround-sound system or a high-end Burmester audio system.

The PCM system featured touch-sensing virtual buttons and proximity sensing, making it intuitive for smartphone users. However, the voice recognition system was less effective than those in BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, or Volvo vehicles. Fortunately, the Macan had separate controls for frequently adjusted features like stereo volume and climate control, reducing the need to interact with the touchscreen while driving.

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. Premium trim added access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness model also had a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading.

The test vehicle's Harman Kardon audio system produced clear, rich sound, and the navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been useful. The voice recognition system was hit-and-miss. The PIN Code Access feature allowed owners to leave the key fob in the SUV and use a PIN code to re-enter the vehicle, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.

Every 2022 Porsche Macan came with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a reversing camera. Blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist were optional, with our test vehicle including blind-spot monitoring as part of the Premium Package. The Macan also offered front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and an optional Park Assist system. However, the Macan lacked more advanced driving assistance technologies found in other vehicles. Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had published safety ratings for the Macan.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, featuring a wider field of vision 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 had a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Touring trim added DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology that monitored for drowsiness and distraction.

The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, with 5-star ratings in all evaluations except for rollover resistance, which received a 4-star rating. The IIHS had not rated the 2022 Forester at the time of publication, but it was expected to retain the 2021 model's "Top Safety Pick+" rating.