2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

In 2022, the Subaru Forester was offered in several trims: base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Pricing began at $25,195 MSRP for the base, reaching up to $35,295 for the Touring. All-wheel drive was standard across all models. We tested the Forester Wilderness model in Bend, Oregon, costing $36,014 with options.

The exterior of the 2022 Forester appeared rather homely, even more so in the Wilderness variant. Its design featured a suspension lift and a higher ride height, providing 9.2 inches of ground clearance. However, the massive protective cladding and a matte-black hood decal gave it an appearance reminiscent of a raccoon on wheels. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality over aesthetics, utilizing a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces. Copper-colored stitching and accents added a touch of color, but the overall feel was somewhat dated. The intuitive 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was praised for its ease of use despite a three-screen setup.

By contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L (introduced in 2021) extended 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, allowing for a third row of seats. The design skillfully integrated this extra length, making the standard model look truncated. The Grand Cherokee L retained Jeep's signature design elements: the seven-slot grille, U-shaped wheel arches, and a blunt front end. High-end trims, such as the Summit and Summit Reserve, added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. Jeep also introduced new paint colors for 2022.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, featuring dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. It exuded quality synonymous with premium models. Even the lower trims were well-equipped, though higher trims clearly offered more sophisticated materials and features.

The 2022 Subaru Forester carried a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It had a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. For the Wilderness model, Subaru claimed a 25% increase in initial torque supply, which also doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. EPA ratings suggested 26 mpg combined, but our tests in Oregon averaged 25.9 mpg.

The Forester's engine was adequate near sea level, emitting the characteristic boxer-engine grumble. However, at higher altitudes, it felt sluggish—showing a need for a turbocharger. The CVT, though fitted with eight programmed ratios, managed to remain unobtrusive, and the SI-Drive offered a slight improvement by engaging Sport mode. Subaru’s dual-function X-Mode system allowed the driver to choose settings based on terrain, re-engaging automatically under 25 mph. The suspension lift in the Wilderness model improved ride quality and off-road capability, but wind noise above 65 mph was noticeable.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two engine choices: a 3.6-liter V6 or a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Our test model had the V6, which produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque—insufficient for a vehicle of this size. The V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was more robust but came with worse fuel economy at 14 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. The V6 fared better with ratings of 18/25/21.

The V6 engine was underpowered, particularly with a full load of passengers. The transmission did no favors by upshifting early, making the engine work harder. However, the Grand Cherokee L’s chassis was stellar, providing surprising composure and precise steering for its size. Optional air suspension offered five ride height settings, adding up to 10.9 inches of clearance in Off-road 2 mode. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee L was optimized more for comfort than rigorous off-roading without all-terrain tires.

The 2022 Subaru Forester was all about functionality. Entry and exit were easy thanks to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim came with all-weather mats and washable materials—ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Roof rails with a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds could support a roof tent.

Comfort levels in the Forester were high in both the front and rear seats, offering good visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Storage space was adequate with bottle holders in each door and dual front seatback pockets for rear passengers. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof, and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Maximum cargo capacity with folded rear seats was 74.2 cubic feet, among the roomiest in its class.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's Uconnect 5 infotainment system was renowned for its user-friendly design and high-quality graphics. Physical switches for climate, seat controls, and stereo were separate from the touchscreen, enhancing usability. Higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen, but the lower trims came with an 8.4-inch display.

Passenger space was ample, even in the third row, while standard second-row captain’s chairs could be replaced with a 60/40 split bench for a small fee. Large windows and multiple USB ports made long journeys more enjoyable, though the air vents struggled to direct adequate airflow to the cabin. Cargo capacity specifics for the Grand Cherokee L were not provided, but Jeep’s focus on family comfort was evident throughout the interior’s layout and features.

The 2022 Subaru Forester boasted a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trims added a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, while higher trims came with an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim featured a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading and a PIN Code Access feature to keep keys secure during outdoor activities.

Upper trims of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium amenities like multiple massage modes for front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and Active Driving Assist. Jeep's navigation system could take over the instrument panel for enhanced visibility on twisty roads. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also available, with an option for an extra 10.3-inch touchscreen for front passengers and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear passengers. Standard driver aids included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and more.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 system, with a wider field of vision for improved accuracy. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features were a rear-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim added DriverFocus, monitoring for drowsiness and distraction. The Forester achieved a 5-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” rating.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and a host of driver aids like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.