2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Acura RDX

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in various trims, including base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Prices started at $25,195 for the base model, with the Touring trim reaching $35,295. A destination charge of $1,125 was added to the cost, and Subaru offered a range of dealer-installed accessories. All-wheel drive was standard across all trims. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured white paint, a dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945, including destination. With additional options, the test vehicle's price was $36,014.

The Forester's exterior design was functional but not particularly attractive, especially in the Wilderness trim, which included a 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. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal. Overall, the Forester felt well-made, but the Wilderness trim's rugged design elements were not universally appealing.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model, including updates to the grille surround, front and rear bumpers, wheel designs, and paint colors. The limited-production RDX PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup included the base model and option packages named Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance, with prices ranging from $42,300 to $53,300, excluding a $1,045 destination charge.

The test vehicle, equipped with the A-Spec Advance package, featured Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, totaling $53,645, including the destination charge. The RDX A-Spec Advance justified its price with high-quality interior materials, solid build quality, and a quieter cabin. While the new vertical air inlets on the front fascia were not universally liked, the RDX still demonstrated more style than many of its competitors.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. All Foresters had a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Wilderness model featured a CVT design that increased initial torque supply by 25% and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated the Forester Wilderness's fuel economy at 26 mpg in combined driving, but during testing, it averaged 25.9 mpg.

The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT had eight programmed ratios and included SI-Drive for a more responsive Sport mode. The Wilderness trim also featured Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system, which improved off-road performance. The re-tuned suspension and longer springs and shocks provided a smoother ride and better ground clearance. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, including off-road conditions, but lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard. The RDX's fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg by the EPA, but during testing, it averaged 20.6 mpg. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard on the base, Technology, and A-Spec packages, while the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.

The SH-AWD system could deliver up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel, enhancing the RDX's driving dynamics. The 2022 RDX also featured a revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) and re-tuned adaptive-damping suspension, providing a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. The RDX offered a quieter ride than before, thanks to added sound insulation and Active Sound Control enhancements. The RDX was enjoyable to drive in various situations but did not qualify for Acura's Type S performance badge.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, 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 ample space for passengers and practical storage solutions.

Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the 60/40-split rear seat down increased cargo capacity to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof). The Forester's cargo area was usefully shaped, and new cargo hooks were added for 2022. The Wilderness trim also included a full-size spare tire.

The 2022 Acura RDX offered plenty of room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof. The interior featured a sporty driving position and a dramatic IDS driving mode knob on the dashboard. The control layout required some acclimation, with transmission buttons and the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system control pad. The A-Spec, A-Spec Advance, and PMC Edition had metallic gauge faces with red markings that were difficult to read in low light.

The RDX's front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was less comfortable, with a flat design and limited support. The RDX featured a standard power liftgate with available hands-free operation, revealing 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the back seat down created 58.9 cubic feet of cargo area, with additional hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor.

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, navigation system, and Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also included a 180-degree forward-view camera and PIN Code Access for keyless entry.

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 in effectiveness.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system with a 10.2-inch display screen and a sectioned touchpad controller. The TTI required acclimation, as it introduced a direct one-to-one relationship between the touchpad and the screen. The RDX also included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Standard features included satellite radio and AcuraLink connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Three premium sound systems were available: a nine-speaker setup in the base RDX, a 12-speaker system in the Technology package, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system in higher trims. The Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2022 Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the 2022 model, but it was expected to retain the 2021 model's "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety and new safety features, including a rear seatbelt reminder system. The standard AcuraWatch collection of driver-assist and collision avoidance systems added pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims included front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking.

The NHTSA awarded the 2022 RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings and five-star side-impact ratings.