2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. Its interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a fresh design with an 11.6-inch portrait display, chrome trim, and contrasting leatherette, offering a touch of luxury. The Outdoor XT trim added a unique flair with water-resistant upholstery and lime green stitching. Externally, the Outback maintained a smooth and plain styling, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents. The 2021 model introduced adaptive LED headlights as standard and a new paint option, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, for select trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in the Wilderness trim, emphasized utility and ruggedness. Its exterior, with a suspension lift and protective cladding, gave it a distinctive "overlanding" look. Inside, the Forester focused on function, with a combination of hard plastic and soft surfaces, and copper-coloured stitching for a touch of style. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal. The Wilderness trim's cladding and matte-black hood decal were not universally appealing, but the overall build quality and new front styling in most trims improved the SUV's appearance.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's performance was hampered by its 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine, which produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled to move the vehicle, especially when loaded, resulting in slow and noisy acceleration. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) further limited its performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving the driving experience. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and high ground clearance, making it capable off-road. Subaru's AWD system was proactive, always driving all four wheels and offering additional driving modes for challenging conditions.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. While adequate at sea level, the engine felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT in the Wilderness model provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling the towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's fuel efficiency was competitive, averaging 9.1 L/100 km. The dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension improved the Forester's off-road capabilities, with longer springs and shocks in the Wilderness trim enhancing ground clearance and approach angles. The Forester excelled in various environments, though it lacked engine power and experienced wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility due to thin pillars and large windows. Storage options were plentiful, though some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard. The Outback's standout feature was its integrated roof rails and crossbars, allowing for easy installation of a roof rack. The 11.6-inch touchscreen complicated climate controls but was generally responsive.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery and all-weather floor mats, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a three-person roof tent, enhancing its practicality. The Forester's interior was comfortable, with excellent visibility and decent storage space. Cargo capacity was 818 litres without the panoramic sunroof and 762 litres with it, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The squared-off cargo area and new ceiling cargo hooks added to its utility.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EyeSight system, standard on all trims, provided adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, it relied solely on cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen with available navigation and a Harman Kardon sound system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been beneficial. The voice recognition system was inconsistent in its effectiveness.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Touring trim, while the Premier trims included a driver-attention monitor. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced 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 also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2022 model, but it was expected to retain the "Top Safety Pick+" rating.