2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 topping out at $35,295. 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, especially in the Wilderness trim, was not universally appealing. The suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding gave it a rugged look, but the matte-black hood decal and copper-colored accents 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 felt well-constructed but somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens could be a bit much.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L extended the classic Grand Cherokee design by more than a foot, maintaining its tough and upscale look. The Hydro Blue test model featured the High Altitude package, which blacked out the grille, logos, and door handles, and included dark gray 21-inch wheels. The interior was luxurious, with black leather, gold stitching, and matte-finish light walnut accents. The U-shaped fenders and square greenhouse were quintessential Jeep, while modern elements like slim LED lighting and body-color bumpers added a contemporary touch.

Upper trims of the Grand Cherokee L boasted impressive interiors, with 90 percent of the materials feeling justified for a $70,000 vehicle. The polished black dash hid an optional touchscreen, and the gear selector and driving mode toggles felt appropriately damped. The diamond-patterned stitching on the seats and aluminum speaker grilles added to the classy feel. Lower trims lacked some of these details but still offered a dramatically better look and feel compared to competitors like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder.

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, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25%. This CVT also doubled the Wilderness's towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The 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 featured eight programmed ratios and rarely drew attention to itself. The Wilderness model included SI-Drive for a more lively response and Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system for better off-road performance. The re-tuned suspension improved ride and handling, with the Wilderness model offering 9.2 inches of ground clearance and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. 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 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's weakest point was its standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The engine was noisy and lacked low-end torque, making it feel underpowered for such a heavy SUV. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was a better choice, especially for towing, with a max rating of 7,200 pounds compared to 6,200 with the V6. The V8 also sounded fantastic. Fuel economy for the V6 was 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8's ratings were significantly worse at 14/22/17.

The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was solid and stiff, providing confident handling. The air suspension allowed the SUV to handle corners well without excessive lean, and the ride remained pliable. The steering could have been quicker, but overall, the handling was top-notch. Jeep offered three four-wheel drive systems, with the most advanced being Quadra-Drive II, which included a low-range transfer case and a limited-slip differential. The air suspension allowed for up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and could lower for improved aerodynamics and easier parking.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks 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 could accommodate a three-person roof tent. Comfort levels were high, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports for passengers. Cargo space was decent, with 28.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's added length provided more legroom for second-row passengers. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a center console available on higher trims. The third row was tight for adults but suitable for children. Visibility from the driver's seat was good, though the infotainment system had some legibility issues. Cargo space was ample, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded, making it one of the roomiest in its class.

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. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The PIN Code Access feature allowed owners to leave the key fob in the SUV and use a PIN code to re-enter the vehicle.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's lower trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel. Higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen and navigation. All systems ran Uconnect 5, which was generally quick and easy to use. The McIntosh sound system, with 19 speakers, was available on upper trims. The Grand Cherokee L also offered night vision, Active Driving Assist, and a passenger screen that could play video and music independently from the rear entertainment system. Amazon Fire TV was available for streaming.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, which included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The system had a wider field of vision and was more accurate. The Forester also included a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear automatic braking system. The Touring trim featured DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L scored a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and received five stars in every NHTSA test except for rollover, which scored four stars. Standard safety features included driver and passenger front knee airbags, forward emergency braking, rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking, a backup camera washer, 360-degree cameras, and night vision.