2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner could trace its lineage back to the off-road fervor of the 1980s, from when SUVs began to acquire a rugged identity closely connected to pickup trucks. Unlike many of its contemporaries that transitioned to car-like platforms, the 4Runner remained true to its rugged roots, sharing underpinnings with the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Toyota wasn't being obstinate by maintaining the 4Runner's original design; rather, it allowed the Highlander to cater to family-centric needs, ensuring the 4Runner could excel as a niche off-road vehicle.

The 4Runner exuded adventure from its high ride height to its boxy proportions and sharply angled front bumper designed for overcoming obstacles. Its interior prioritized function over form, but it also retained some dated design elements from its last redesign in 2009, such as the dash layout. Available trims for the 4Runner included SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Limited. The basic SR5 included practical features like push-button start, remote keyless entry, and a suite of driver assistance features under Toyota Safety Sense P. Select trims offered three-row seating, while the Premium SR5 sub-trim added amenities like HD radio and synthetic leather upholstery.

Our choice for the test drive was the Trail Special Edition, showcasing features such as 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels, a Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket, and a handy sliding rear cargo deck with under-floor storage. The TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road trims brought in unique touches for road and off-road performance, respectively, while the range-topping Limited trim focused on road comfort with added luxury and technology features.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester offered base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims. Priced from $25,195 up to $35,295, it boasted standard all-wheel drive across all trims. For testing, we took the new Wilderness model to Bend, Oregon, equipped with a $36,014 package including navigation and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.

The Forester's exterior, traditionally homely, turned even more utilitarian in the Wilderness trim with extensive protective cladding and a matte-black hood decal. Despite its rugged appearance, the forester leaned heavily on functionality with a practical cabin design that prioritized utility over aesthetics. Despite the dominance of hard plastic, the interior conveyed quality and intention, appealing to the buyers wanting a no-nonsense approach.

From an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system to intuitive controls and easy-to-use features, the Forester retained practical solutions for everyday utility. The Wilderness trim escalated off-road capabilities with features like a suspension lift and a 9.2-inch ground clearance, though its aesthetics were more an acquired taste.

For 2022, the Toyota 4Runner retained a single engine: a 4.0-liter V6 producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine, while dated, continued to be reliable and delivered a decent initial acceleration. However, it lacked excitement in most driving situations, sluggishly paired with a five-speed automatic transmission directing power to the rear wheels or available 4WD with a low range.

The ride quality of the 4Runner seemed harsh, with noticeable body roll and a jostled experience over road bumps. Yet, this ruggedness translated into off-road proficiency. At low speeds on trails, the 4Runner's suspension came into its own, effortlessly absorbing rocks and bumps. With features like Crawl Control and options for enhanced suspension systems, the 4Runner was tailored for off-road enthusiasts. It also boasted a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, although modest compared to compact pickups, still outstripped many car-based crossovers.

On the other hand, the 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a CVT and standard AWD across all trims. The Forester Wilderness's CVT, designed for a 25% increase in initial torque, improved the off-the-line experience and doubled its towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. Fuel economy was a strong point, averaging 25.9 mpg during testing.

While the Forester's engine felt adequate at lower altitudes, it could seem sluggish at higher elevations. Nevertheless, it retained the characteristic grumble of a boxer-style engine and offered a sporty feel with the SI-Drive system. The dual-function X-Mode system enhanced off-road handling with various settings for different surfaces and automatic re-engagement features.

The Forester's suspension, retuned for 2022, provided a smooth ride, especially over rough terrain. The Wilderness trim's extended travel suspension and all-terrain tires cemented its off-road credentials, proving capable in a variety of challenging environments.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner, maintaining its rugged essence, offered a maximum cargo capacity of 89.7 cubic feet in the two-row configuration. With the second row in use, this reduced to 47.2 cubic feet. Opting for the three-row variant decreased maximum cargo space to 88.8 cubic feet, with just 9 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Although a power rear liftgate wasn't available, the 4Runner featured a power-operated rear window, adding a practical touch for accessing cargo.

Even though the 4Runner’s cabin layout felt dated, it wasn't cramped. It offered sufficient space for gear, albeit not as efficiently packaged as modern SUVs.

Contrastingly, the 2022 Subaru Forester excelled in functional design. Its high seating points eased entry and exit, and the StarTex upholstery in the Wilderness trim resisted water and grime, ideal for outdoor adventures. However, the non-breathable material might be uncomfortable when wet or sweaty.

The Forester's redesigned roof rails accommodated more substantial loads, supporting a dynamic weight of 220 pounds and static of 800 pounds, capable of holding a roof tent. Passenger comfort was notable, with ample legroom and features like rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports.

The Forester's cargo capacity varied with the panoramic sunroof: 28.9 cubic feet without it and 26.9 with it. Folding the rear seats expanded space to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof). These measurements placed it among the roomiest compact SUVs and emphasized its practical cargo area with thoughtful features like newly placed cargo hooks and a full-size spare tire.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. Upgrades offered navigation, HD radio, and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system. While it covered essential tech needs, the system was straightforward and relied on tactile controls, beneficial when driving with gloves. It lacked advanced features like a head-up display but maintained a focus on simplicity.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Subaru Forester started 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 and higher included an 8-inch screen, with optional navigation and a Harman Kardon sound system. The Forester Wilderness added a useful 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading.

The Forester’s system provided clear sound from the Harman Kardon setup and was user-friendly. The vehicle also featured PIN Code Access for secure entry without the key fob, ideal for outdoor activities.

Toyota equipped the 2022 4Runner with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera system were available. The 4Runner scored four out of five stars in frontal and side-impact NHTSA testing, but only three stars for rollover resistance. It was backed by a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced EyeSight 4.0 with enhanced driver assistance features and improved field of vision. Standard and available safety features included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear automatic braking system. The Forester's Touring trim added DriverFocus, a facial recognition system for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its previous IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.