2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Subaru Outback

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 the lineup. 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 power rear liftgate, the total price reached $36,014. The Wilderness trim added rugged features like a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, giving it a raccoon-like appearance. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, creating a cabin that felt well-constructed but somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the three display screens could be cumbersome.

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift with a new front end, redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. The Onyx Edition, one of six trims, became more accessible with a new $33,495 starting price for the non-turbo powertrain. Outbacks with the standard 2.5-liter engine ranged from $28,395 to $39,845, while the turbocharged XT models ranged from $38,445 to $42,295. The test vehicle, a Touring trim with Cosmic Blue paint and Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, had an MSRP of $41,070. The Touring's interior was upscale, with Java Brown leather contrasting beautifully with the black interior and light gray stitching. The large infotainment screen and gloss black trim, however, easily collected dust and smudges.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. All Foresters had a CVT and AWD, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25% and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated the Forester Wilderness's fuel economy at 26 mpg combined, but it averaged 25.9 mpg during testing. The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT had eight programmed ratios and included SI-Drive for a more lively response. The dual-function X-Mode system offered improved speed management during hill descents and a new "standby" setting. The Wilderness trim had a re-tuned suspension with longer springs and shocks, raising ground clearance to 9.2 inches. The Forester excelled in various environments, including off-road courses and forest roads, but lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise above 65 mph.

The 2023 Subaru Outback's standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine produced 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The test vehicle, weighing 3,781 pounds, struggled with passing and climbing power. The EPA estimated 28 mpg combined, but it averaged 25.6 mpg during testing. The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine in the XT models produced 260 hp at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm, offering better performance but lower fuel efficiency. The CVT in both engines mimicked an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Outback's AWD system varied power distribution as needed, and the X-Mode traction system optimized the drivetrain for challenging terrain. The Outback handled off-roading well and had excellent visibility and maneuverability in cities. However, the standard engine felt underpowered, especially at higher elevations. The suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, and the Outback handled well, though it wasn't a sports wagon.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, 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. The Forester offered high comfort levels in both front and back seats, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Storage space was decent, though a dashboard shelf or tray would have been useful. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof) with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sill trim. The Touring trim offered a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and heated and ventilated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The rear outboard seats were also heated. The Outback provided ample legroom and storage space, with 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded. The flat, textured plastic door sills served as steps to reach the roof rack. The Outback could benefit from more practical storage space, such as an additional tray or cubby on the center console.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trim added a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle's Harman Kardon audio system produced clear, rich sound, and the navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been useful. The PIN Code Access feature allowed keyless entry for outdoor activities.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate control. The base model had a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The 11.6-inch system offered wireless connectivity for Apple and Android platforms, Starlink connected services, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Depending on the trim, navigation and a Harman Kardon premium audio system were available. The voice recognition system was unreliable, and the infotainment system's graphics and icons were not user-friendly. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system with a wider field of vision and new Automatic Emergency Steering. EyeSight 4.0 included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, 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 Subaru Outback added new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster, enhancing pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering. The Outback Limited and Touring offered a third Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Outback earned top marks from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems felt artificial, and the rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways.