Subaru Forester vs Ford Edge

The 2021 Ford Edge showcased a design that had evolved since its 2019 refresh, aligning more closely with Ford's current aesthetic. The refresh had managed to harmonize the newer styling cues with the traditional Edge body, offering a cleaner appearance than the often flashy designs of the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium models were distinguished by additional chrome accents, highlighting their premium status, while the sporty ST variants boasted a blacked-out grille, standard 20-inch wheels, and an aggressive body kit. For those seeking the sporty look without the performance boost and cost, Ford also offered the ST-Line.

Inside, the Edge began to reveal its age. Despite attempts to modernize the cabin with larger touchscreens and updated materials, the interior design felt somewhat dated. However, the Titanium models ensured a luxurious experience with leather upholstery, and the ST models enhanced the sporty vibe with front seats featuring added bolstering, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and contrast stitching.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in its Wilderness trim, was a prime example of function over form. Available in base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trim levels, this model emphasized practicality and utility. The test vehicle in Bend, Oregon, featured white paint and a dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, suited for rugged adventures. The Wilderness trim, marked by a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive body cladding, gave the Forester a rugged, albeit somewhat peculiar, appearance.

Inside, the cabin retained a functional focus, with hard plastic and soft surfaces creating a durable yet somewhat dated feel. Copper-colored stitching and accents provided minimal flair, sticking to the no-nonsense approach. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was a highlight, praised for its intuitive interface and physical knobs for essential controls, although the three-screen layout was less than ideal.

Ultimately, the Ford Edge aimed for a blend of modernity and sportiness, while the Subaru Forester Wilderness prioritized ruggedness and practical design.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered a solid range of powertrains. Most models employed a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine could be coupled with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) options. For those craving performance, the Edge ST was the go-to choice, equipped with an EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque when running on 93-octane fuel. The ST also came with standard AWD, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and enhanced suspension tuning. For added performance, buyers could opt for an upgraded brake package and 21-inch wheels with summer tires.

Ford had benchmarked the ST against performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, but while this comparison was a bit ambitious, the Edge ST still offered a sporty and engaging drive. Although based on an older platform, the Edge had a refined feel, though the turbo-four non-ST models could feel sluggish. Notably, towing capacities ranged from 3,958 pounds for the FWD four-cylinder model to 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered ST, impressive but slightly behind competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, which boasted towing capacities of 5,000 pounds with AWD.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, providing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. All Foresters came with a continually variable transmission (CVT) and standard AWD. The Wilderness model featured a CVT design that offered a 25% increase in initial torque supply and doubled its towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. During real-world driving, the Forester returned an average fuel economy of 25.9 mpg, near the EPA’s estimate of 26 mpg combined.

While the Forester’s engine was adequate at sea level, higher altitudes highlighted its lack of power, making a turbocharger addition desirable. The CVT’s eight programmed ratios kept the driving experience smooth, and the SI-Drive sport mode enhanced the responsiveness. Subaru’s dual-function X-Mode system was a standout feature, offering different settings for various terrains and improved speed management during hill descents. The Wilderness trim increased the Forester’s ground clearance to 9.2 inches and added features like Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires, an aluminum front skid plate, and a full-size spare.

Off-road, the Forester Wilderness excelled, handling diverse conditions with ease. The heightened suspension provided a comfortable ride, and Subaru’s engineering minimized body roll despite the raised height. However, the naturally aspirated engine struggled in challenging scenarios, reaffirming the need for a turbo option.

The 2021 Ford Edge prioritized cabin comfort and utility. With seating for five, it boasted excellent rear-seat headroom, leading among two-row midsize crossovers, and notable legroom in both the first and second rows. The standard dual-zone automatic climate control further enhanced passenger comfort.

Cargo capacity was a strong suit of the Edge, offering 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with them folded down, only behind the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport in this category. Higher trims provided a foot-activated power liftgate for added convenience.

While Ford’s rotary shift knob freed up space on the center console, the overall width remained modest, resulting in average storage capacity. The raised console created an additional storage nook below, though its awkward positioning made it less accessible.

The 2022 Subaru Forester exuded practicality, engineered for ease of use. Entering and exiting the vehicle was effortless, thanks to tall seating hip points. The Forester Wilderness targeted young, adventurous buyers, with water-resistant StarTex upholstery and all-weather floor mats designed to stand up to tough conditions. However, while the materials excelled in durability, they didn’t offer breathability, compromising comfort when wet or sweaty.

All 2022 Foresters featured upgraded roof rails capable of supporting a 220-pound dynamic load and an 800-pound static load, suitable for roof tents. The interior provided ample comfort, with high seating positions offering excellent visibility. Rear passengers enjoyed rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports. Storage options included bins in the armrests, door panel bottle holders, seatback pockets, and cupholders in the rear armrest.

Cargo space without the panoramic sunroof ranged from 26.9 to 28.9 cubic feet, increasing to 69.1 to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. While these figures were competitive, they trailed slightly behind the Edge. The Forester’s squared-off cargo area and strategically placed cargo hooks enhanced practicality. Additionally, the Wilderness trim’s full-size spare tire was a notable plus for adventurers.

The 2021 Ford Edge impressed with its tech offerings. Equipped with Ford’s latest Sync 4 infotainment system, it featured a standard 12-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were also standard. The Edge ST models enhanced the audio experience with a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen system. The inclusion of four USB ports, two in the rear with a USB-C port, was another upgrade for the 2021 model year. Sync 4’s simple graphics and intuitive menus made it user-friendly, and not all competitors offered wireless smartphone connectivity, cementing the Edge’s tech prowess.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, even in its base trim, was well-equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims, including the Wilderness, upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system, delivering clear and rich audio. The Wilderness trim also featured a 180-degree forward-view camera, invaluable for off-road adventures. However, the lack of a breadcrumb function in the navigation system was a minor drawback. The voice recognition system had mixed results, but the Forester’s PIN Code Access feature allowed secure keyless entry for active lifestyles.

The 2021 Ford Edge shined in safety, earning an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” designation with top “Good” ratings in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. It received an “Advanced” rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention and “Acceptable” and “Poor” headlight ratings, depending on the trim. The NHTSA awarded the Edge a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all but the base SE trim.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted with the enhanced EyeSight 4.0 safety system, boasting twice the field of vision for improved accuracy and smoother operation. EyeSight 4.0 encompassed automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The new Automatic Emergency Steering system provided added stability at speeds under 50 mph. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Touring trims introduced DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring driver drowsiness and distraction, with added gesture control for climate adjustments. The Forester earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” rating.