2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in various trims, including base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Prices started at $25,195 MSRP for the base model, with the Forester Touring topping out at $35,295. The destination charge was an additional $1,125, and Subaru offered a wide range of dealer-installed accessories. All-wheel drive was standard on every 2022 Forester. 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 came to $36,014.

The Forester's exterior, especially in the Wilderness trim, was not universally appealing. The suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding gave it a rugged look, but the matte-black hood decal and copper-colored details made it look somewhat like a raccoon on wheels. Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces that exuded quality construction but felt somewhat inexpensive and dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for easy navigation, though the three display screens were less than ideal.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was fully redesigned with a more rugged and substantial appearance. It was 3.4 inches longer, up to 1.5 inches wider, and 0.8 inches taller than its predecessor. These changes complemented the all-terrain-capable TrailSport model, which featured a one-inch taller ride height, unique 18-inch wheels, chunky all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. The previous TrailSport trim was more of an appearance package, so the new model's legitimate off-road parts were a welcome change.

Inside, the Pilot took a more conventional styling route compared to its predecessor. The interior remained attractive, functional, and versatile, with materials quality meeting class expectations. The new Pilot emphasized function over form without sacrificing attractiveness, making it a more utilitarian and appealing choice.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as the previous year, 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 provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling the towing capacity from 1,500 pounds to 3,000 pounds. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated the 2022 Forester Wilderness to get 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 featured eight programmed ratios and rarely called undue attention to itself. The Wilderness model also had SI-Drive, which put the powertrain into Sport mode for a more lively response. Subaru’s dual-function X-Mode system was standard on most versions, offering improved speed management during hill descents and a new “standby” setting. The Wilderness trim had a re-tuned suspension with longer springs and shocks, raising the ground clearance to 9.2 inches. The Forester excelled in various environments, including off-road courses and forest roads, but lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise above 65 mph.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard for most Pilots, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available on all models and standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. Initial acceleration response was quick, with power being more than adequate but not particularly impressive. The brake pedal was soft, appropriate for a family SUV, and easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The Pilot cornered well for a three-row SUV, instilling confidence when driven conservatively but not encouraging sporty driving. The steering effort was feather-light, great for maneuvering in tight spaces but somewhat vague on the highway. The TrailSport trim increased ground clearance by an inch and added all-terrain tires, which introduced a subtle vibration on pavement but enhanced off-road capabilities. The Pilot maintained on-road composure and comfort, making it a versatile choice for daily family duties and outdoor adventures.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included 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. Comfort levels were high in both the front and back seats, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. 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 2023 Honda Pilot's interior was more conventional, with a handy dash shelf for the front passenger. The entry-level LX and Sport trims had a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The Elite trim's touchscreen seemed small for the available space but was still adequate. Primary controls for climate and drive modes were logically placed, with a large rubberized shelf for phones and a wireless charging pad. The front doors had moderately-sized pockets and large cupholders.

The Pilot's stowable second-row center seat was a standout feature, providing a useful center pass-through for third-row passengers. The second row had ample space for adults, while the third row was less inviting but suitable for short trips. Cargo space measured 22.4 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 60.1 cubic feet with the second row folded and 114.3 cubic feet at maximum capacity, offering 30% more capacity than the Kia Telluride.

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 offered a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims had an 8-inch screen, navigation system, and Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also 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 PIN Code Access feature allowed keyless entry for outdoor activities.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's EX-L trim and higher offered a larger infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. Higher trims also had a multi-view camera system, with the Elite trim adding a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment touchscreen was responsive with a logical layout, and features included Honda's CabinTalk, navigation system, Bose premium audio, remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The TrailSport and Elite trims had the multi-view TrailWatch camera system for off-roading.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with twice the field of vision 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 had a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear automatic braking system. Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for drowsiness and distraction monitoring. The 2022 Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was expected to retain the 2021 model’s “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Honda Pilot had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA, but Honda expected top scores. The Pilot received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard Honda Sensing safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign reader, automatic high beams, and driver attention monitor. EX-L and higher trims added low-speed automatic braking and front and rear parking sensors. The TrailSport and Elite trims included surround-view and multi-view camera systems. During testing, all advanced safety features functioned as expected, with no false alarms.