2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

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 top-tier Touring priced at $35,295, plus a $1,125 destination charge. 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 total 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 details were polarizing. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality over aesthetics, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens could be cumbersome. Overall, the Forester felt well-made, but the Wilderness trim's design elements were not to everyone's taste.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator offered a choice of powertrains, starting with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Black Label Grand Touring trims featured a plug-in hybrid setup, combining the V6 with a 75-kilowatt electric motor and a 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, delivering standard AWD. Prices ranged from $53,340 to $89,280, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The top-tier Black Label Grand Touring model, with an optional $750 paint job, had an MSRP of $91,225.

The Aviator's design was generally appealing, with a modern Lincoln face that stood out in the automaker's lineup. However, the wheel designs on the Black Label Grand Touring were considered too plain. The Lincoln Embrace lighting sequence and electric, light-touch door handles added a touch of luxury, though the electronic door latches could be tricky. Inside, the Black Label Grand Touring was lavish, with patterned metal trim, gloss black surfaces, chrome accents, and rich caramel-hued leather seats. However, some chrome detailing and stitching appeared cheap, and the key fob felt too plasticky for a vehicle of this caliber.

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 (AWD). 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 combined, with our test averaging 25.9 mpg.

The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode improved responsiveness, but a turbocharger would have been welcome. The dual-function X-Mode system, standard on most trims, offered various settings for different surfaces and improved hill descent management. The Wilderness trim's re-tuned suspension, longer springs, and shocks increased ground clearance to 9.2 inches, enhancing off-road capabilities. The Forester excelled in various environments, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise above 65 mph.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, a plug-in hybrid, combined a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor, producing 494 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 630 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. The EPA estimated 21 miles of electric driving range and 23 mpg combined in hybrid mode. The Aviator offered multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, Excite, Slippery, Deep Conditions, and Tow/Haul.

During our test, the Aviator Grand Touring covered 22.3 miles on electric power, averaging 163.4 mpg. Over 94.7 miles, it averaged 24.3 mpg, demonstrating the hybrid system's efficiency. The Aviator was quick, but the drivetrain's responsiveness was inconsistent. The brake pedal also exhibited typical regenerative braking behavior, requiring deliberate care for smooth stops. The Aviator's Dynamic Handling Package, with adaptive-damping Active Glide suspension, managed its extra weight well, providing a flat, predictable cornering stance. However, the Aviator's heavy and numb steering made it less fun to drive, even in Excite mode.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery in the Wilderness trim was water-resistant, and the SUV included all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable 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, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Storage space was decent, though Subaru missed opportunities for additional storage solutions. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the rear seats expanded the capacity to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), making the Forester one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator focused on comfort, featuring a four-zone automatic climate control system, a heated power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The 30-way Perfect Position front seats were highly adjustable, and the second-row captain's chairs were roomy and supportive. However, the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access, making it unsuitable for adults.

With the third-row seats in use, the Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Maximum cargo space was 77.7 cubic feet, providing ample room for most needs.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trim added a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a 180-degree forward-view camera. The PIN Code Access feature allowed keyless entry, ideal for outdoor activities.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Black Label Grand Touring was loaded with technology, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, Lincoln Connect, SiriusXM satellite radio, and navigation. However, it used the outdated Sync 3 software, which struggled with voice recognition. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system was impressive, and the Phone As A Key digital key system was convenient. The digital instrumentation and head-up display were user-friendly, and the front and rear parking sensors and surround-view camera system were helpful.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with improved camera-based technology 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 featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim added 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 Lincoln Aviator offered Co-Pilot360 1.5, Co-Pilot360 1.5 Plus, and Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver aids, depending on the trim level. Our test vehicle included automatic high-beam adaptive-pixel headlights, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The Aviator's driver aids performed well, though the lane-keeping system struggled in curves. The Aviator earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.