2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels in Canada, all equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD): EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky Edition. The base pricing ranged from MSRPs of $46,195 to $55,695, excluding destination charges of $1,895. The Telluride did not offer a front-wheel drive (FWD) option. The EX trim was noted for its value, but many opted for the SX Limited trim, which offered a luxurious feel with features like premium stitched Nappa leather, a simulated suede headliner, a head-up display (HUD), and heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats. The SX Limited Nightsky Edition, new for 2021, added gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a unique grille insert, giving the Telluride a popular blacked-out look. The styling of the 2021 Kia Telluride was widely praised, with its exterior and interior design receiving high marks for contemporary quality and execution. The transmission shifter was strategically placed to preserve storage space, and the interior was noted for its solid and smooth operation. However, the interior colour options were limited, with light grey leather only available in the SX Limited trim.

The 2022 Subaru Forester was offered in several trim levels, including base, Convenience, Touring, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Premier. Prices started at $29,495 for the base model, with the Premier trim reaching $40,595, plus a destination charge of $1,800. The Forester Wilderness, new for 2022, featured white paint, a dark grey interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $38,995, including destination. The Forester's design was described as homely, with the Wilderness trim adding a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, giving it a rugged appearance. Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with a cabin that combined hard plastic and soft surfaces, exuding quality construction and clarity of purpose. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was retained, offering intuitive operation despite having three display screens. The 2022 Forester was noted for its well-made feel, with improved front styling in most trim levels, though the Wilderness's cladding and matte-black hood decal were not universally appealing.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured Kia’s Drive Mode Select technology, offering Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart driving modes. The AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, and with 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance, the Telluride handled low-grip terrain effectively. During testing, the Telluride demonstrated impressive ride and handling, nearly eliminating the "head-toss" phenomenon thanks to its suspension tuning. The MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension design, along with a self-leveling rear suspension in the SX Limited and Nightsky Edition trims, ensured proper ride and handling. The Telluride offered a firm and connected sensation at slower speeds, softening as velocity increased. It provided commendable grip with its 20-inch wheels and tires, and though not performance-oriented, it handled twisty roads with calm and control. Fuel efficiency was rated at 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with an observed average of 11.5 L/100 km.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and AWD drivetrain, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply. The CVT allowed the Forester Wilderness to double its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with an observed average of 9.1 L/100 km. The Forester's engine was adequate near sea level but felt sluggish at altitude, where a turbocharger would have been beneficial. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios, and the Wilderness model included SI-Drive for more lively response. Subaru’s dual-function X-Mode system offered various settings for different surfaces, with improved speed management and a new "standby" setting. The Forester's re-tuned suspension improved ride and handling, with the Wilderness model offering longer springs and shocks for increased ground clearance. The Forester excelled in various environments, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a driver’s seat offering 12-way power adjustment and a standard heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The front seats featured heating and ventilation, with the front passenger seat offering 6-way power adjustment. The interior was noted for its distinctive leather upholstery and acoustic sound-absorbing glass. The test SUV had sliding second-row captain’s chairs with heating and ventilation, side-window sunshades, and an overhead climate control panel. The third-row seat was usable for adults, with easy access via a button that tilted and slid the second-row seat. The Telluride offered ample storage, with smartphone-friendly bins and trays, airline-style USB ports, and grocery bag hooks. The "smart" hands-free power liftgate opened automatically when the key fob was nearby, revealing 601 litres of cargo space behind the third-row seats. Folding the third-row seats provided 1,304 litres of cargo space, with a maximum of 2,455 litres when the second-row captain’s chairs were folded.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats and washable material on the rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 100 kilograms and a static load of 362 kilograms, allowing for a three-person roof tent. The Forester offered high comfort levels, with tall seating and excellent visibility. Rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports were available, and the back seat comfortably held two adults. Storage space was decent, with bins, bottle holders, and seatback pockets. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the panoramic sunroof and 762 litres with it, with a squared-off cargo area and new cargo hooks. Folding the rear seat provided 2,101 litres of space, making the Forester one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

The 2021 Kia Telluride featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It included a navigation system and allowed pairing of two smartphones via Bluetooth. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with menu shortcut buttons and intuitive touchscreen operation. A 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system was standard with SX trim, though the sound quality was not exceptional. The Limited grades added a head-up display with blind-spot notifications.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch screen was standard on Touring trim and higher, with available navigation and Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Forester Wilderness included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle had navigation and the Harman Kardon audio system, producing clear sound. The navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function was desired. The voice recognition system was inconsistent in effectiveness.

The 2021 Kia Telluride included eight standard safety features, such as blind-spot warning, lane-maintenance technology, forward-collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Assist. SX trim added front parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Telluride earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact results.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Forester featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with a 4-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the 2022 model, but it was expected to retain the 2021 model’s "Top Safety Pick+" rating.