2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Subaru Forester

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. The all-wheel-drive system was standard across all models. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured a white exterior, dark gray water-repellant StarTex simulated leather interior, and a base price of $33,945. With additional options like a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and power rear liftgate, the total cost reached $36,014. The Wilderness trim's rugged look, with its suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, gave it a distinctive but polarizing appearance. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, copper-colored stitching, and an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, available in the same trim levels, ranged from $26,395 to $36,495, excluding a $1,225 destination charge. The test vehicle, a Touring trim, had a price of $37,720. The Forester's design remained consistent with previous models, featuring a boxy shape and flared fenders. The Touring trim stood out with 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. Inside, the Touring offered Saddle Brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents, maintaining Subaru's traditional design with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The interior was practical, with hard plastic surfaces for easy cleaning and a mix of buttons and knobs for intuitive control.

The 2022 Subaru Forester retained its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive were standard, with the Wilderness model featuring a CVT design that increased initial torque by 25% and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Environmental Protection Agency (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 had eight programmed ratios and an SI-Drive system for a sportier response. The dual-function X-Mode system offered various settings for different terrains, and the Wilderness trim had a re-tuned suspension with longer springs and shocks, providing 9.2 inches of ground clearance. The Forester excelled in various driving conditions, including off-road environments, thanks to its long-travel suspension and all-terrain tires.

The 2023 Subaru Forester also featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The CVT had eight programmed ratios and an SI-Drive system for a sportier response. The X-Mode off-road traction management system was available on all trims except the Base, with additional settings for different terrains starting from the Sport trim. The Forester Wilderness offered enhanced off-roading capabilities. The test vehicle, a Touring trim, performed well in various weather conditions, including torrential rain and muddy trails. The Forester's driving dynamics were impressive, with a comfortable yet communicative ride, responsive steering, and effective brakes. The Forester returned 25.9 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA rating of 29 mpg in combined driving. The Forester's excellent driving dynamics and comfortable ride made it a reliable choice for various driving conditions.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality with easy entry and exit, thanks 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 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. The Forester offered comfortable seating with excellent visibility, rear air conditioning vents, and quick-charge ports. 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 down. The squared-off cargo area and new cargo hooks added to the practicality.

The 2023 Subaru Forester continued to prioritize function over form, with features like a panoramic glass sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors available from the Premium trim. The Wilderness trim offered StarTex artificial leather, while the Limited and Touring trims featured genuine leather and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Touring trim also had an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat and heated rear seats. The Forester's excellent outward visibility and easy entry and exit made it user-friendly. However, the panoramic sunroof's insufficient tinting and lack of ventilated front seats could cause discomfort. The Forester's doors were well-sealed, and the interior storage was plentiful, with various pockets and compartments. The cargo area offered 26.9 cubic feet of space (28.9 cubic feet in the Base trim) and expanded to 69.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down (74.2 cubic feet in the Base trim).

The 2022 Subaru Forester came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base trim, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. The Premium trim added a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting through an active Starlink plan. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle's navigation system and Harman Kardon audio system provided clear sound and helpful navigation, though the voice recognition system was inconsistent. The PIN Code Access feature allowed keyless entry for outdoor activities.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium trim added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services with remote engine starting and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An 8-inch touchscreen display was available, offering navigation and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Forester's older Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, with separate climate controls, volume and tuning knobs, and main menu buttons. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, often misinterpreting commands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were recommended for navigation and other functions.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, featuring a wider field of vision and improved accuracy. The system included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. A new Automatic Emergency Steering system operated at speeds under 50 mph to help avoid collisions. The Forester also offered a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The 2022 Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for a wider field of view. The system included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester added Automatic Emergency Steering, which worked at speeds under 50 mph to help avoid obstacles. The Wilderness and Touring trims included Rear Automatic Braking, which could be overly sensitive. The Touring trim also featured DriverFocus for monitoring driver inattention and gesture control for climate settings. The 2023 Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, a notch down from the previous year's Top Safety Pick+ award, due to new side-impact and small-overlap frontal-impact tests. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings across the board, with a four-star rollover resistance rating.