2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its elevated stance, offering 9.5 inches of ground clearance, a 0.8-inch increase over other Outbacks. This model featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection trim, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. Unique design elements included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The new roof rack system supported a 700-pound static load, ideal for rooftop camping, and the exclusive Geyser Blue paint added to its rugged appeal.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness showcased a dark gray and black cabin with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, heated seats, and a black headliner. The interior also featured Gunmetal Gray trim, Anodized Copper stitching, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. The rear seatbacks and cargo tray were waterproof, enhancing the vehicle's practicality. Priced at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge, the Outback Wilderness offered a blend of ruggedness and style, appealing to those seeking adventure.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, particularly in Cascade Green Silica paint, maintained a familiar look reminiscent of previous Forester models. The Forester came in various trims, with prices ranging from $26,395 to $36,495, excluding a $1,225 destination charge. The Touring trim, priced at $37,720, featured 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, enhancing its appearance. Robust roof rails with a 700-pound static-weight rating (800 pounds for the Wilderness trim) added to its practicality.

Inside, the Forester Touring offered Saddle Brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents. The cabin featured traditional Subaru design elements, including analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen, and an information display. While hard plastic was prevalent, it made the interior easy to clean. The Forester's busy appearance, both inside and out, was partly due to the mix of gray and silver lower body cladding and the traditional button and knob layout, which made controls easy to locate and use.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided ample power for the 3,896-pound vehicle, allowing a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route.

The Outback Wilderness featured all-wheel drive (AWD) and a dual-function X-Mode traction system with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. It had a commendable 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The vehicle excelled off-road, handling steep hills and challenging trails with ease. However, on pavement, the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generated 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. This engine, also paired with a CVT, powered all four wheels. The Forester's CVT had eight programmed ratios and a Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) system with a Sport mode for quicker responses. Most trims featured an X-Mode off-road traction management system with various driving modes.

During testing, the Forester Touring handled torrential rain, flooded roadways, and muddy trails with confidence. On dry roads, the Forester's lighter weight compared to the Outback made it feel livelier, though the engine remained merely adequate. The Forester's excellent driving dynamics, including light and accurate steering, responsive brakes, and well-tuned suspension, contributed to a comfortable and engaging ride. However, the Forester's fuel economy fell short of the EPA rating, achieving 25.9 mpg instead of the expected 29 mpg.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, a water-repellant simulated leather. While effective in cold weather, the material caused discomfort in hot conditions. The front seats offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger, with heated seats for both rows. The rear seat provided ample space for two adults or three children, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 220-pound dynamic load rating and a 700-pound static load rating.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering a practical and straightforward design. The Premium trim included a panoramic glass sunroof, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer system. Higher trims featured StarTex artificial leather or perforated genuine leather, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated outboard rear seats. The Forester's excellent outward visibility, easy entry and exit, and well-sealed doors added to its practicality.

The Forester's cargo area offered 26.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat (28.9 cubic feet in the Base trim) and 69.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat (74.2 cubic feet in the Base model). The power liftgate revealed a usefully shaped cargo area with hooks, tie-downs, and hidden storage under the load floor. The Forester's interior storage was plentiful, with multiple pockets and compartments for stashing items.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dominating the center of the dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were available for volume, tuning, and temperature control, most functions required using the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. However, the PIN code entry technology allowed keyless access, ideal for active lifestyles.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated but was user-friendly. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD Radio, Starlink connected services, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Forester's older Subaru Starlink infotainment system was preferable due to its separate climate controls, easy-to-use volume and tuning knobs, and main menu buttons. However, the voice-recognition system was nearly useless, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto essential.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The Wilderness trim also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. The EyeSight technology proved effective during testing, maintaining safe distances and lane centering. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Higher trims added Automatic Emergency Steering, which assisted with avoiding in-lane obstacles. The Wilderness and Touring trims included Rear Automatic Braking (RAB), though it could be overly sensitive. The Touring trim also featured the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. The Forester's new EyeSight system performed well during testing, though the vehicle's age showed in recent IIHS tests, earning a "Top Safety Pick" rating instead of the previous "Top Safety Pick+" award. The Forester received five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA.