2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Jeep Wrangler

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in various trims, including base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring, with prices starting at $25,195 and topping out at $35,295 for the Touring model. All-wheel drive was standard across all trims. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured a white exterior, dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945. With additional options like a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate, the total cost reached $36,014. The Wilderness trim added rugged features like a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, which gave it a distinctive, albeit polarizing, appearance.

Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality over aesthetics, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces that felt well-constructed but somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, featuring physical knobs and buttons for easy navigation. Despite its rugged exterior, the Forester Wilderness maintained a practical and intuitive interior, though the cladding and copper-colored details were not universally appealing.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler required buyers to choose between a two-door or four-door model and offered a variety of engines, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, and plug-in hybrid. The Wrangler came in four core trims: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions. Prices ranged from about $30,000 to $80,000, excluding the destination charge. The High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Sport S trim, featured LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, and a Gorilla Glass windshield. The Xtreme Recon package added a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, and 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, among other off-road enhancements.

The High Tide model, tested with a gasoline V6 engine and eTorque mild hybrid system, had an MSRP of $58,845. The Wrangler's interior was basic, with durable cloth upholstery and a mix of plastic and rubber materials. The driving experience was unique, offering an immersive and rugged feel, but it came with compromises in comfort, convenience, and refinement. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities and distinctive character made it a favorite among enthusiasts, despite its high fuel consumption and noisy cabin.

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. The Wilderness model's CVT provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling its towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated the Forester Wilderness's fuel economy at 26 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 25.9 mpg.

The Forester's driving dynamics were pleasing, with a characteristic boxer engine grumble. However, at higher altitudes, the naturally aspirated engine felt sluggish, highlighting the need for a turbocharger. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode improved the driving experience, but a turbo or turbo-hybrid option would have been welcome. The dual-function X-Mode system, standard on most Foresters, offered improved off-road capabilities, while the re-tuned suspension and longer springs and shocks in the Wilderness trim enhanced ride quality and ground clearance.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system was also included. The EPA estimated the Wrangler Unlimited's fuel economy at 21 mpg in combined driving, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced this to an average of 16.8 mpg over a week of testing.

Driving the Wrangler was a unique experience, characterized by its rough-and-tumble nature, loud cabin, and frequent fuel stops. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were unmatched, offering an immersive and sensory-rich driving experience. However, it required frequent steering corrections, and the ride was far from smooth. The Wrangler's appeal lay in its ability to provide a sense of freedom and adventure, making it a favorite among off-road enthusiasts.

The 2022 Subaru Forester excelled in functionality, offering easy entry and exit, practical features, and a comfortable interior. The StarTex upholstery in the Wilderness trim was water-resistant, and the SUV included all-weather floor mats and a rubber cargo mat. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, making it suitable for a three-person roof tent. The Forester's interior provided ample comfort, with tall seating positions, 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, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter individuals. The interior featured durable cloth upholstery and a mix of plastic and rubber materials. The driving position was close to the steering wheel and dashboard, requiring some acclimation. Visibility was a mixed bag, with excellent views in some areas and compromised visibility in others. Rear-seat passengers faced similar entry and exit difficulties but enjoyed agreeable accommodations once inside. Cargo space measured 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 Subaru Forester offered a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services in the base trim. 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. The PIN Code Access feature allowed owners to leave the key fob in the SUV and re-enter using a PIN code.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, featured a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered satellite radio, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system, bundled with an Alpine premium sound system. The High Tide model included remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, single-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats and steering wheel.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. The system 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 NHTSA and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group, adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and Marginal ratings in IIHS testing for small overlap crash protection and side-impact performance. Headlight performance was rated Poor for standard lights and Marginal for LED upgrades.