2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. This trim level aimed to give the Ascent a sporty appearance that it previously lacked. The interior of the Onyx Edition included water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching, which was preferable to an all-black interior. However, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making it uncomfortable on hot days. The Ascent Onyx Edition was priced at $37,995, with an additional $2,000 option package available that included a panoramic moonroof, a navigation system, and a cargo cover.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in several trim levels, including the new Wilderness trim, which was designed for off-road adventures. The Forester Wilderness featured a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, giving it a rugged appearance. Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with a dark gray interior fitted with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather and copper-colored stitching and accents. The Forester's interior was practical, with hard plastic and soft surfaces that exuded quality construction. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was easy to use, and the Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The Forester Wilderness was priced at $33,945, with an option package that included a navigation system, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate, bringing the total price to $36,014.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. The Ascent's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, and it averaged 20.5 mpg during testing. The CVT had eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and featured Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The Ascent felt nimble and maneuverable in urban and suburban driving, but its lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies could create an uncertain and unstable feel on highways.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It also featured a CVT and AWD, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply and a towing capacity of 3,000 pounds. The Forester Wilderness had an EPA fuel economy rating of 26 mpg combined and averaged 25.9 mpg during testing. The CVT had eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive for a more lively response. The Forester's dual-function X-Mode system offered improved off-road capabilities, and the Wilderness trim featured a re-tuned suspension with longer springs and shocks, raising the ground clearance to 9.2 inches. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, including off-road courses and forest roads, but it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise above 65 mph.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, but the third-row seats were best suited for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy, and captain's chairs were available. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third-row seat, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second-row seat, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down. Versions with the panoramic sunroof had slightly less cargo space.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit, tall seating hip points, and a practical interior. The Forester Wilderness featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable material on the rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails could accommodate a three-person roof tent. The Forester's rear seats were comfortable, with rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. With the rear seats folded down, the Forester offered 74.2 cubic feet of cargo space (69.1 with the sunroof), making it one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent in base trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. The Touring trim level included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trim added a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, with available navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Forester Wilderness included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle's Harman Kardon audio system produced clear, rich sound, and the navigation system was helpful but lacked a breadcrumb function. The Forester also offered a PIN Code Access feature for outdoor activities.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and five-star crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight's performance could be affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with improved accuracy and smoother operation. 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. Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology that monitored for drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.