2023 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past decades. The brand maintained its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale, nearing the luxury class. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms from scratch, leading to today's lineup of sedans and crossover SUVs. The original XC90, launched in 2003, received updates until 2015. The 2016 model marked the debut of the current XC90, Volvo's flagship SUV, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

The 2022 XC90 had a striking stance and sleek profile, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches that emphasized athleticism. The interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim. The XC90 offered both Nappa leather and a "tailored wool blend" upholstery, with the latter being a sustainable option. The test car came with leather seats, which proved beneficial during a week of high temperatures and humidity.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, though not a beauty, was functional and practical. It came in various trims, with prices ranging from $26,395 to $36,495, excluding the $1,225 destination charge. The test vehicle, a Touring trim, was priced at $37,720. The Forester resembled a shrunken Subaru Ascent, with flared fenders, narrow waist, and pincer-shaped lighting. The Touring trim stood out with 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. The Forester's robust roof rails could support a tent, thanks to a 700-pound static-weight rating.

Inside, the Forester Touring featured Saddle Brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents. The interior had traditional Subaru design elements, including analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen, and an information display. The control layout relied on buttons and knobs, making it user-friendly. However, the interior appeared busy due to the mix of materials and control layout. Despite this, the Forester's back-to-basics nature was appreciated.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains. The T5 model had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model featured a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 model, a plug-in hybrid, combined the supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 models were front-wheel drive (FWD) with optional all-wheel drive (AWD), while the T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90 models used an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The XC90 required Premium (91-octane) gasoline. The EPA estimated the T5 FWD models to achieve 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, while the T5 AWD models were rated at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The T6 AWD models had a rating of 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 model achieved 27 mpg combined on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended-range variant had a 26 mpg combined gasoline rating, a 66 MPGe rating, and an EV range of up to 36 miles. Charging the battery from empty to full took about five hours at 240 volts (Level 2).

The XC90's driving experience was superb, with minimal body roll and controlled handling. The T8 Inscription extended range model provided spirited acceleration, with the electric motor delivering torque early, eliminating turbo lag and smoothing power delivery. The XC90 was not a hot rod but offered a fun driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, powering all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT had eight programmed ratios and a Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) system with a Sport driving mode. All Foresters, except the Base trim, had an X-Mode off-road traction management system with hill descent control. The Premium trim added Normal, Snow, and Dirt driving modes, while the Sport trim included Deep Snow and Mud settings.

The Forester Wilderness trim offered enhanced off-roading capabilities. The test vehicle, a Forester Touring, handled torrential rain, flooded roadways, and muddy trails with ease. The Forester's excellent driving dynamics, including light and accurate steering, responsive brakes, and well-tuned suspension, provided a comfortable and communicative ride. However, the 2.5-liter engine remained merely adequate, and the Forester returned 25.9 mpg on the testing route, falling short of the EPA's 29 mpg combined rating.

The Forester's driving dynamics were impressive, with minimal lateral rocking and fore-aft motions. The ride was firm and communicative, reminiscent of older Subarus. However, a turbocharged engine would have been preferable for better performance at elevation and improved fuel efficiency. A hybrid or plug-in hybrid option would also be beneficial.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with captain's chairs or three-across seating in the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 provided 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration and powertrain.

The XC90's interior was spacious, with ample storage options, including door pockets, seat back pockets, console storage, and a large glove compartment. The standard laminated panoramic moonroof added to the airy feel of the cabin. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, providing a comfortable environment.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with a focus on simplicity and substance. The Premium trim offered 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 additional power-adjustable and heated seats.

The Forester's outward visibility was excellent, with tall glass, thin windshield pillars, and large side mirrors. Entry and exit were effortless for both front and rear seats. However, the panoramic sunroof allowed excessive solar heating, and the back seats lacked sufficient leg support and had a reclined backrest angle. The Forester's doors were well-sealed, and interior storage was plentiful, though some compartments were smaller than ideal.

The Forester's cargo area was usefully shaped, with hooks for grocery bags, tie-downs, and hidden storage under the load floor. With the back seat up, the Forester offered 26.9 cubic feet of cargo space (28.9 cubic feet in the Base trim). Folding the back seat down provided 69.1 cubic feet of cargo space (74.2 cubic feet in the Base model), which was average for the compact SUV segment.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which offered tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures. However, the system was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. Connecting an iPhone 11 Pro and using Apple CarPlay improved performance. The nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen was positioned close to the driver's line of sight, minimizing distraction. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel provided easy configuration and crisp graphics. The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner.

The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with an optional $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade for audiophiles. The vehicle included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot with a complimentary trial subscription, and the Volvo Care smartphone app, which was free for four years.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology might have appeared outdated, but it was user-friendly. The Base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium trim added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen was available, offering navigation and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. However, a wireless smartphone charger was absent.

The Forester's older Subaru Starlink infotainment system was preferable to newer models with larger screens but fewer physical controls. The climate controls were separate from the touchscreen, and volume and tuning knobs were easy to use. However, the voice-recognition system was nearly useless, often misinterpreting commands. Using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued the brand's commitment to safety, featuring blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features to keep the car in its lane and at a set speed with minimal driver intervention. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight collection of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Models with blind-spot monitoring added Automatic Emergency Steering, which assisted with avoiding in-lane obstacles. The Wilderness and Touring trims included Rear Automatic Braking (RAB), though the system could be overly sensitive. The Touring trim also featured the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System.

The Forester's new EyeSight systems performed better than those in the 2023 Outback, engaging in less nannying about driver behavior. However, the Forester's age showed in new IIHS tests, earning a Top Safety Pick rating instead of the Top Safety Pick+ award. It received an Acceptable rating in a new side-impact protection test and a Marginal rating in a new small-overlap, frontal-impact assessment. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings across the board and a four-star rollover resistance rating.