2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trims: 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 variety 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 like a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate, the test vehicle's price reached $36,014.

The Forester's exterior design was often considered homely, and the Wilderness trim's rugged enhancements, including a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, did little to change that perception. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality over form, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces that conveyed quality construction but felt somewhat dated. 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 aesthetic choices and small 17-inch wheels were not universally appealing.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, was highly sought after. The lineup expanded to include the Everglades and Bronco Raptor models. The Everglades, designed for swamp trekking and deep water, featured an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco offered seven distinct trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. Buyers could choose between two-door or four-door body styles and four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines. The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, with features like large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate.

Inside, the Bronco continued its utilitarian theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs in the floor. The G.O.A.T. mode dial allowed drivers to select specific drive modes for different terrains. Despite its rugged look, the Bronco was equipped with modern technology, including a digital instrument panel, a large infotainment touchscreen, and a full complement of cameras. The Bronco's combination of off-road prowess and modern amenities made it a versatile and appealing choice, though its popularity led to high demand and limited availability.

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 featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Wilderness model's CVT provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling its towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the Forester Wilderness at 26 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 25.9 mpg.

The Forester's engine 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, standard on most Foresters, offered various settings for different surfaces and improved speed management during hill descents. The Wilderness trim's longer springs and shocks increased ground clearance to 9.2 inches, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Forester excelled in various environments, from city streets to off-road trails, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed manual transmission was available for the four-cylinder engine, while a 10-speed automatic was standard for the V6 and optional for the four-cylinder. All Broncos featured four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case.

Both engines provided ample power, and the Bronco's various trims offered increasing levels of off-road prowess. The Everglades model, tested on challenging terrain, demonstrated its capabilities with ease. The Bronco's on-road performance was also impressive, with better steering and ride quality than its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler. Wind noise was a minor issue, but the Bronco's overall performance made it a versatile and capable vehicle.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit, water-resistant StarTex upholstery, and standard all-weather floor mats. 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, excellent visibility, and practical storage solutions. 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 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design provided ample interior space, with generous headroom and legroom. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but the four-door model offered easier access. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Bronco also featured clever storage solutions and accessories, such as stowable doors and removable fender flares.

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. 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. The PIN Code Access feature allowed owners to leave the key fob in the vehicle and re-enter using a PIN code.

The 2022 Ford Bronco utilized technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes optimized drivetrain and chassis settings for specific terrains, and the forward-looking trail camera provided confidence in navigating obstacles. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a wireless charging pad was available.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the 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. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Ford Bronco's standard safety features included hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco received a four-out-of-five-star rating for frontal crash protection and a three-out-of-five-star rating for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Bronco its best score of "Good" in frontal, side, and roof strength tests.