2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was notably larger than its siblings, the QX50 and QX60. For this model year, it was available in two trims: Luxe and Limited. The QX80's exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern features such as LED lighting, adaptive front lighting, and power-folding mirrors. The interior offered a choice of three color schemes and featured high-quality materials, though some trim pieces lagged behind competitors. The cabin was upscale with soft-touch materials, but the piano-black plastic center stack was prone to fingerprints.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester, despite a redesign in 2019, retained a styling reminiscent of its previous generation. Its boxy, upright shape appealed to SUV shoppers, offering a clean and unpretentious look. The Forester Sport model added orange striping and black alloy wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Forester shared underpinnings with other Subaru models, maintaining a rugged yet practical design. The interior was functional, with a mix of durable materials and orange accents in the Sport trim. Cloth upholstery was standard, with leather available on higher trims, and an All-Weather Package added convenience features.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Despite its weight, the QX80's powertrain managed the load well, though the transmission was less smooth when downshifting. Fuel efficiency was a downside, with the RWD model achieving 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway, while the 4WD version dropped to 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes, and its off-road capabilities were enhanced by optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control and a rear auto-leveling suspension. It had a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a CVT. While adequate for most situations, the engine lacked power for highway merging and overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in body roll and bounce on uneven surfaces. Standard AWD and X-Mode enhanced its off-road capabilities, with Dual X-Mode available on Sport models. The Forester had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds and offered hill-descent control and 8.7 inches of ground clearance for better handling on rough terrain.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 provided plush seating in the first two rows, with tighter third-row seating suitable for children. It offered seating for seven with standard captain’s chairs, and a 60/40 split-folding bench was optional. The interior featured leather-appointed seats with available Alcantara upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Cargo space was generous, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom, with a tall roofline providing excellent visibility. Cargo space was ample, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. While it lacked a sliding second-row bench, a power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Forester's interior featured decently sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was small. A power-adjustable driver’s seat was available from the Premium trim, and the controls were user-friendly, despite a cluttered steering wheel.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came with an 8-inch upper and 7-inch lower infotainment touch screen, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. Standard features included satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, and a 13-speaker Bose stereo, with a 17-speaker system available. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's Starlink infotainment system featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch screen and Harman Kardon audio, while higher trims added navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with backup analog controls, though the screen was slow to boot. Additional displays provided secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. It received "good" IIHS ratings in some crash tests and moderate NHTSA ratings.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS and a five-star NHTSA rating. Standard EyeSight features included adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, with optional blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking. Subaru's DriverFocus system monitored driver distraction, enhancing safety.