2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with other models in the Nissan lineup, such as the Armada and Rogue. The front of the Kicks featured a bold, snubbed nose with a distinctive "double V-motion" grille design, combining chrome and piano black elements. The headlights were elongated and thinner, with LED multi-reflector headlights and fog lights standard on higher trims. The rear of the Kicks showcased a new bumper and LED taillights, although the trunk area appeared somewhat less refined. New paint options, including Electric Blue Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, were introduced, and a two-tone paint job was available, enhancing the vehicle's stylish appearance.

Inside, the Kicks maintained its familiar layout but incorporated higher quality materials, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra. The interior featured new seat and door designs, with the SR Premium trim offering Prima-Tex-appointed seating with a three-tone design. The SR Premium also included LED headlights, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, and dark chrome grille accents, contributing to a sportier aesthetic. Buyers could further customize their Kicks with numerous colour combinations and accessories from the Nissan Kicks Colour Studio.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in the Wilderness trim, emphasized practicality and ruggedness. The Wilderness model featured a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, giving it a distinctive "overlanding" look. The interior focused on functionality, with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather and copper-coloured stitching. The cabin combined hard plastic and soft surfaces, creating a durable yet somewhat dated feel. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal.

The Forester's exterior styling was improved in most trims, but the Wilderness's cladding and matte-black hood decal were not universally appealing. The vehicle excelled in various driving environments, from city streets to off-road courses, thanks to its well-tuned suspension and all-terrain tires. The Forester Wilderness proved capable on challenging terrain, with its long-travel suspension absorbing bumps and maintaining a good road feel. However, the lack of engine power and wind noise at higher speeds were noted drawbacks.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option available. The Kicks' electric power-assisted steering and independent strut stabilizer bar suspension contributed to its nimble handling, making it easy to navigate in various driving conditions. Despite being low-powered, the Kicks offered a good power-to-weight ratio, providing adequate performance for its size.

The Kicks SR Premium trim featured 17-inch black alloy wheels, while other trims had 16-inch or 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The vehicle came standard with a traction control system, stability control system, and hill start assist. The Kicks' fuel efficiency was rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 7.2 combined, making it one of the most fuel-efficient subcompact crossovers available.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters featured a CVT and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply. This allowed the Wilderness to double its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's fuel consumption was rated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres combined, with the Wilderness averaging 9.1 L/100 km during testing.

The Forester's CVT featured eight programmed ratios, simulating an automatic transmission feel. The Wilderness trim included SI-Drive for a more responsive powertrain and Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system for improved off-road performance. The Forester's re-tuned suspension and longer springs and shocks in the Wilderness trim enhanced ride quality and ground clearance, making it capable on challenging terrain. However, the lack of a turbocharger limited its performance at higher altitudes.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a compact yet functional interior, with easy-to-reach buttons and knobs. The cabin featured good small-item storage, USB ports, and multiple smartphone storage options. Climate controls were intuitive, and seat warmers provided quick warmth. The Kicks included a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable front seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The vehicle boasted best-in-class front seat legroom, though hip room was somewhat limited for larger drivers. The available tonneau cover provided hidden storage in the rear cargo area.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat. The Forester's roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 100 kilograms and a static load of 362 kilograms, allowing for a three-person roof tent. The cabin offered high comfort levels, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the sunroof and 762 litres with it, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came equipped with a range of modern technology features. The base model included a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and three USB ports. Higher trims added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and a USB-C port. The Kicks SR Premium boasted a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers, providing an immersive audio experience. The SR Premium also featured a surround-view monitor for enhanced parking assistance.

The 2022 Subaru Forester offered a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. Higher trims included an 8-inch screen, navigation system, and Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim featured a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The test vehicle's navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been beneficial for off-road navigation.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kicks featured 10 airbags, adaptive cruise control, and a driver alertness monitor on higher trims. The 2021 Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a strong history of few recalls.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, with a 4-star rating for rollover resistance.