2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in a variety of trim levels including base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Starting prices began at $25,195 for the base model, with the top-tier Forester Touring priced at $35,295. There was an added destination charge of $1,125, and buyers had the option of numerous dealer-installed accessories. All-wheel drive was standard across all trims.

To evaluate the new Wilderness trim, a trip to Bend, Oregon, and the rugged Cascade Mountains was undertaken. The test model featured white paint and a dark gray interior with StarTex simulated leather, starting at $33,945 (including destination). Optional features such as a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, power rear liftgate, and dealer-installed engine underguard brought the total price to $36,014.

While the Subaru Forester has never been hailed for its stylish looks, the Wilderness trim did little to elevate its appearance. The addition of a suspension lift and higher ground clearance to 9.2 inches, coupled with significant body cladding and a matte-black hood decal, gave it a racoon-on-wheels look. Despite rugged modifications, the oversized cladding seemed overdone.

Inside, the Forester stuck to practical design. Copper-colored stitching and accents offered minor deviations from the norm. The interior was primarily functional rather than stylish, with a blend of hard plastic and soft surfaces that somehow managed to exude a sense of quality. The cabin's slightly cheap and dated look didn't detract from its overall utilitarian appeal.

The 2022 Forester Wilderness retained the 8-inch Starlink infotainment system, which featured physical knobs and buttons for ease of use. The presence of multiple display screens was a minor drawback but did not severely impact functionality.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to dispel the minivan's traditional uninspired aesthetic. Gone were the slab-sided designs and sliding doors, replaced by a front-end resembling a Japanese bullet train. With trim options ranging from the base LE to the luxurious Platinum trim, and with the addition of the 25th Anniversary Special Edition, there was a Sienna for every budget.

The XLE trim level included valuable features like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate, all beneficial for families. The tested Platinum trim model boasted high-quality brown leather upholstery and elegant wood-grain accents, creating a luxurious cabin environment.

Designed to seat either seven or eight passengers, the Sienna's interior was spacious and configurable. The eight-seater versions could accommodate three cross-car seats in the middle row, a fantastic feature for larger families.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, while lacking in exterior aesthetics, made up for it with sheer utility and practicality. The same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine from previous years powered this SUV, delivering 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The absence of a turbocharger was a disappointment, especially at higher altitudes where the engine struggled.

All Foresters featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The Wilderness model, with its unique CVT design, offered a 25% increase in initial torque supply and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds.

The Subaru Forester Wilderness promised 26 mpg in combined driving, achieving an actual 25.9 mpg during testing in Oregon. While the engine felt adequate at sea level, it fell short in terrains requiring more power. The CVT's eight programmed ratios maintained smooth performance, particularly with the SI-Drive's Sport mode.

Subaru’s dual-function X-Mode system enhanced off-road handling, adapting to different surfaces and managing speed on descents. The re-tuned suspension, longer springs, and improved ground clearance to 9.2 inches allowed for better handling on rough terrains.

On the opposite end, the 2023 Toyota Sienna’s hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and an additional rear motor for AWD trims. In total, this setup produced 245 horsepower, somewhat underwhelming for the Sienna’s size and weight. The CVT struggled up the rev band, producing unsatisfactory sounds.

However, the Sienna’s chassis and steering were commendable. The minivan offered nimble handling for its size, with light, responsive steering perfect for city driving. Various drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport were available, though Eco mode proved too sluggish and EV mode was largely ineffective.

Functionality was a standout feature for the 2022 Subaru Forester. Its high seating hip points made getting in and out easy, appealing to those needing practicality. The StarTex upholstery, although not genuine leather, was resistant to water, making it ideal for rough use. However, it retained moisture, which could be uncomfortable in wet conditions.

The Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats and a rubber cargo mat, contributing to its rugged appeal. Upgraded roof rails supporting a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds, including new tie-down points, made it highly functional for carrying roof tents.

Passenger comfort in the Forester was high, with ample rear seat space, air conditioning vents, and quick-charge ports. Interior storage was adequate, though a dashboard shelf or tray could have added utility. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet (26.9 with a panoramic sunroof) and expanded to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with sunroof) with rear seats folded.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions. The open cubby below the center console, long dash shelf with optional wireless charging pad, and spacious bins in the center console provided ample storage options. With dimensions over 200 inches long and a 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna offered significant cabin space.

Cargo space in the Sienna was plentiful: 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, and maxing out at 101 cubic feet. Despite the lack of removable or stow-n-go middle-row seats, the Sienna compensated with highly functional second-row captain’s chairs. These chairs had extending ottomans and could slide forward or backward to optimize space for third-row passengers.

The 2022 Subaru Forester’s base trim offered a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trims added 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium audio, and a 180-degree forward-view camera.

The Harman Kardon audio system delivered rich sound, though the navigation system lacked a breadcrumb function necessary for wilderness navigation. The Pin Code Access feature allowed convenient vehicle re-entry without a key fob.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna utilized Toyota’s older infotainment interface, complete with SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and seven USB ports. Physical buttons, although somewhat dated, remained functional and reduced driver distraction. However, the system's age showed in its clunky interface and need for wired connections.

The 9-inch touchscreen didn’t seem impressive on paper but fit well within the vehicle. The 12-speaker JBL audio system in the test model provided good sound quality despite the older tech.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, which featured improved camera technology and added Automatic Emergency Steering. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering. The safety system faced minimal false warnings but encountered a glitch during an engine restart.

Additional standard features included a rear-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Higher trims like the Touring were equipped with DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology to monitor driver drowsiness and distraction.

According to the NHTSA, the 2022 Forester achieved a 5-star overall crash-test rating and a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS. The Wilderness trim required re-testing due to its height modifications.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna’s standard ADAS impressed with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Awarded 5 stars by the NHTSA, the mechanically identical 2022 model received a TSP+ rating from the IIHS.