2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

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 was $36,014. The Wilderness trim added rugged features like a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, giving 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 retained the model's practicality and quality, though its unique styling elements like the matte-black hood decal and copper-colored accents were not universally appealing.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, tested in Santa Barbara, California, included the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, finished in Iridium silver with 21-inch wheels, looked nearly identical to the standard RX 350, lacking any hybrid-specific badges. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. Despite its popularity, the RX's design remained somewhat unbalanced, with a heavy front-end appearance and a visually shortened rear.

Inside, the RX adopted a minimalist design with fewer physical controls and a new Lexus Interface infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had an all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. The RX 500h also offered a sportier driving experience with its adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system, though its fuel economy fell short of expectations.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. All models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply and a towing capacity of 3,000 pounds. The Forester Wilderness achieved an average fuel economy of 25.9 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 26 mpg.

The Forester's driving dynamics were pleasing, with a characteristic boxer engine grumble and a CVT that rarely drew attention to itself. The Wilderness trim's dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension improved off-road capabilities, with a ground clearance of 9.2 inches and enhanced approach, breakover, and departure angles. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, from city streets to off-road trails, though it lacked the power of a turbocharged engine.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a combined output of 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and Direct4 AWD system, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, but managed only 27 mpg. The RX 500h accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, while the RX 350h took 7.4 seconds.

The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and rear-wheel steering provided a sporty driving experience, though accessing drive modes through the infotainment system was cumbersome. The RX 350h offered a more balanced ride, with better fuel economy and a quieter cabin, making it a preferable choice for those prioritizing efficiency and comfort.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit, water-resistant StarTex upholstery, and all-weather floor mats. 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. The Forester's interior offered high comfort levels, with ample rear legroom and 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 with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, with the RX 350h Luxury featuring ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger side bolsters and standard leather. The hybrids' battery packs under the rear seat slightly raised the seat cushion, affecting rear headroom. Cargo space improved to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing the previous model but still trailing some competitors.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite 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 and PIN Code Access for keyless entry.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. The Lexus Interface included cloud-based navigation, an Intelligent Assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had some usability issues, such as screen reflections and a lack of a tuning knob. The available head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel also posed challenges for users wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with a wider field of vision and new Automatic Emergency Steering. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. 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 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve-speed reduction. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. While some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had usability issues, the overall safety system operated with refinement and accuracy.