2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could take on different looks with painted or exposed fenders, soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches. Despite these variations, the core elements that made a Wrangler unmistakable remained intact. Inside, the Wrangler was not designed for comfort, with upright seating, limited legroom, and seats adjusted using somewhat awkward ripcords. However, for the right type of driver, these features added to the vehicle's charm.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, while redesigned for the 2019 model year, carried over much of its previous-generation styling, giving it an older look. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. The Forester's boxy, upright shape appealed to many SUV shoppers, offering a clean and unpretentious look. The Sport models added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact. The Forester's interior was a no-nonsense mix of materials designed to withstand years of use, with the Sport trim adding a splash of orange for a bit of flair.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, and a plug-in hybrid variant called the Wrangler 4xe, which made 275 hp and offered up to 22 miles of electric range. The Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The Wrangler's various 4WD systems, including Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, provided excellent off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity. Subaru quoted a 1,500-pound maximum towing capacity, with Trailer Stability Assist as standard. While the engine felt adequate in most situations, it lacked the thrust needed for highway merging or overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in poor body control and a lot of body roll in corners. However, the Forester's standard AWD system and X-Mode provided better handling on different surfaces, with Dual X-Mode available on Sport models.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color. The Sky one-touch power top, featured on the Rubicon 392, combined a hardtop with a power-retractable canvas panel. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It also featured drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feeling. The Forester offered 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 76.1 cubic feet with the rear seats 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 too small for an average-size phone, and wireless charging was not available. The large knobs for audio and climate control were user-friendly, but the numerous buttons on the steering wheel could be confusing.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen for radio and vehicle settings. The 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims. The 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, offering crisp graphics and easy-to-read layouts. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's standard Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring models included navigation and rear USB ports. The Forester's infotainment system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls. However, the screen was slow to boot up. The Forester also featured a secondary screen in the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying secondary information like fuel economy and tire pressure.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler came with a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, receiving the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Forester came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester also featured a driver-monitoring system called DriverFocus, ensuring drivers remained attentive.