2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Volvo XC60

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 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 practical and intuitive interior design, making it a reliable choice for those seeking a functional and durable compact SUV.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 offered three powertrains: the B5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, the B6 with a turbocharged, supercharged, and mild-hybrid engine, and the Recharge with a turbocharged PHEV powertrain. Prices ranged from just under $46,000 to over $76,000, with trim levels including Core, Plus, Ultimate, and the PHEV-only Polestar Engineered. The test vehicle, a Recharge Ultimate with the Dark exterior theme, featured Thunder Grey paint, a Climate Package, air suspension, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, bringing the MSRP to $74,690.

The XC60 Recharge impressed with its stylish design, sitting on 20-inch wheels and featuring blacked-out exterior trim. Inside, the cabin exuded classic Scandinavian minimalism with high-quality materials, including black leather, wood trim, metal accents, and a crystal gear selector knob. The spacious and opulent interior, combined with Volvo's reputation for design excellence, made the XC60 Recharge a standout in its class.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet 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 EPA estimated the Forester Wilderness's fuel economy at 26 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 25.9 mpg. The Forester's engine, while adequate at sea level, felt sluggish at higher altitudes, highlighting the need for a turbocharger.

The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode provided a lively response, but the Forester's lack of engine power remained a drawback. The dual-function X-Mode system offered improved off-road capabilities, and the re-tuned suspension and longer springs and shocks in the Wilderness trim enhanced ride quality and ground clearance. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, from city streets to off-road trails, but its engine power and wind noise at higher speeds were notable limitations.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. The PHEV powertrain offered an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The XC60 Recharge's driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, allowed for versatile performance.

In Pure mode, the XC60 Recharge achieved 38.3 miles of electric driving, surpassing its estimated range. The Power mode provided maximum performance, with Volvo claiming a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. The XC60 Recharge's updated powertrain and more powerful electric motor made it fun to drive, with a torque-vectoring effect in Hybrid mode enhancing its dynamic behavior. The XC60 Recharge averaged 54.6 mpg during testing, demonstrating its impressive fuel efficiency and performance capabilities.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit, tall seating hip points, and a practical interior. 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, making it suitable for roof tents.

The Forester's interior offered high comfort levels, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports for passengers. 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 Forester's practical design and ample storage space made it a versatile choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, a compact crossover SUV, was best suited for four passengers, though it could accommodate five. The front seats in the Ultimate trim provided outstanding comfort with Nappa leather upholstery, heating and ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were also comfortable but offered limited legroom for taller passengers. The large panoramic sunroof and supportive seat cushions added to the sense of space and comfort.

Storage space in the XC60 was decent, with practical spots for smaller items in the center console and larger items in the door panel bins and glovebox. The power liftgate revealed 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The XC60 Recharge's cargo area was well-designed, with features like a netted space for the charging cord and buttons to lower the suspension for easier loading.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trim added access to 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 test vehicle's navigation system and Harman Kardon audio system provided clear sound and helpful navigation, though a breadcrumb function would have been useful. The voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, but the PIN Code Access feature allowed for keyless entry, making it convenient for outdoor activities.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch Google Built-in infotainment system with four years of complimentary access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. The system supported Apple CarPlay and included SiriusXM satellite radio and Wi-Fi access. The portrait-style touchscreen was user-friendly, with excellent graphics and an intuitive interface.

The voice-recognition system impressed, accurately responding to various commands and integrating with streaming music apps like Spotify. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system provided exceptional audio quality, though the standard Harman Kardon system in the Ultimate package was likely sufficient for most users.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. The system included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. 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 Volvo XC60, known for its safety innovations, included Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. The system excelled on multi-lane freeways, providing smooth and accurate performance. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. The XC60 B5 and B6 mild-hybrids earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the XC60 Recharge expected to perform similarly.