2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Subaru Forester retained its practicality-focused design while trying to incorporate some rugged elements in the Wilderness trim. Offered in Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims, prices started at $25,195 and extended up to $35,295, with a destination charge of $1,125. All-wheel drive was standard across the board. We tested the Forester Wilderness, which came with a base price of $33,945 (including destination) and added options like a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate, bringing the total to $36,014.

The Forester's aesthetics remained somewhat homely, even with new additions like the suspension lift and higher ride height that provided 9.2 inches of ground clearance. Protective cladding and a matte-black hood decal added to its rugged but unconventional appearance. Inside, the Forester continued to prioritize function over form, featuring hard plastic and soft surfaces that emphasized quality and durability even though they appeared somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was intuitive but cluttered with three display screens that could be distracting.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage underwent a dramatic redesign that gave it a more exotic and intriguing look. The new model appeared almost French in its styling, with striking features like bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar. The 2023 Sportage offered seven trim levels: LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, and the new X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige trims. Inside, the Sportage opted for synthetic leather, which, while durable, did not match the opulence of real leather. The cabin was modern, featuring a large, eye-catching dashboard display. However, some elements, like the hard plastic plate near the door handle, detracted from overall comfort.

The 2022 Subaru Forester carried over the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that worked seamlessly with the all-wheel-drive system. The Wilderness model featured a revised CVT and increased towing capacity of up to 3,000 pounds. Besides, its fuel economy was EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined, yet our test drive averaged 25.9 mpg. The Forester’s naturally aspirated engine performed admirably at sea level but felt underpowered at higher elevations, where a turbocharger would come in handy.

The Forester’s dual-function X-Mode system enhanced its off-road capability, offering multiple surface settings and better speed management on slopes. The suspension and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires allowed it to take on challenging terrains with ease. On roads and highways, the Forester provided a comfortable ride, although wind noise became a concern above 65 mph.

The 2023 Kia Sportage featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) variants. The Sportage managed better mileage ratings at 25/32/28 mpg for FWD and 23/28/25 mpg for AWD trims. However, its lack of a turbocharged engine was disappointing, especially for those seeking a more spirited drive.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Sportage’s X-Pro trims added genuine off-roading capabilities like BF Goodrich all-terrain tires and specific drive modes. However, these features made the Sportage behave less admirably on paved roads, where it exhibited more road noise and body roll.

The 2022 Subaru Forester was designed with functionality at its core. Entry and exit were made convenient by its tall seating hip points. The Wilderness edition came with water-resistant StarTex upholstery and standard all-weather floor mats—ideal for the rugged, outdoorsy crowd. However, the StarTex material was not breathable, and the Wilderness missed out on seat ventilation. The roof rails were upgraded, supporting extra load capacity for roof tents. Inside, the Forester provided ample space with 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space (26.9 with the sunroof) and expanded to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof) with the rear seats folded.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage stood out in terms of interior space. It had grown significantly compared to its predecessor, providing 41.3 inches of impressive rear-seat legroom and a substantial 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 74.1 cubic feet. Storage up front was practical, although the HVAC controls were more complicated due to their dual-functionality, which required extra attention.

In the 2022 Forester, even the base model came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink services—a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot arrived with the Premium trim. Meanwhile, the Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims boasted an 8-inch display plus available navigation and Harman Kardon premium sound systems. The Wilderness trim also included a helpful 180-degree forward-view camera for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Kia Sportage upped the technology game with a 12.3-inch touchscreen on EX trims and higher. This paired beautifully with a 12.3-inch driver information display on SX trims and above, giving the dashboard a high-end feel. Despite this, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were wired on higher trims, which seemed backward, as wireless versions were offered on the base models. While visually striking, the interface icons were hard to distinguish from each other, requiring more attention and detracting from the user-friendly experience. Wireless charging and rear USB-C ports were standard on all but the base trim, adding to its tech-savvy appeal.

The 2022 Forester debuted Subaru’s EyeSight 4.0, featuring a more accurate camera-based system with advanced driver assistance technologies such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Additionally, EyeSight 4.0 featured a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. The Forester also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Touring trims added DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology that monitored for drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a stellar 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came well-equipped with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning. Advanced ADAS like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the EX trim up. The SX and higher trims offered innovative features like blind-view monitor and Highway Driving Assist, highly regarded for their effectiveness.