2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its blunt and bulbous nose, which gave it an aggressive appearance. Over time, however, this design became more familiar and less striking. The SUV's styling was further accentuated by black windshield pillars that created a floating roof effect, and swollen haunches that attempted to balance the overall look. Despite the presence of 20-inch alloy wheels, the exaggerated quarter panels seemed to overwhelm the design. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum trim offered a luxurious feel with soft leather upholstery and a two-tone cabin, although the dashboard's asymmetrical design and glossy black detailing could suffer from reflections. The controls were well-organized, but the mix of illumination colours in the gauges created a busy appearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in its Wilderness trim, maintained a more utilitarian and rugged aesthetic. The Wilderness model featured a suspension lift and higher ride height, along with protective cladding and a matte-black hood decal, giving it a distinctive "overlanding" look. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality with a combination of hard plastic and soft surfaces, creating a cabin that felt well-constructed but somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. The Forester's interior was designed for practicality, with copper-coloured stitching and accents adding a touch of style. Overall, the Forester's design prioritized utility and durability, appealing to those seeking a vehicle capable of handling rugged conditions.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid underwent a significant transformation in its powertrain, moving from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, resulting in a total output of 243 horsepower. This change improved fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 6.7 L/100 km, compared to the previous generation's 8.3 L/100 km. However, this efficiency came at the cost of driving enjoyment. The Highlander Hybrid's power was adequate for climbing hills and reaching freeway speeds, but the engine sounded strained during hard acceleration or uphill driving. The steering felt lifeless, and the SUV's handling was characterized by unwanted body movement, making it less enjoyable to drive. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid excelled in providing a smooth and quiet ride on flat terrain, with regenerative brakes operating transparently.

The 2022 Subaru Forester retained its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked a turbocharger, the Forester's engine delivered adequate performance near sea level, emitting the characteristic grumble of a boxer-style engine. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a smooth driving experience, and the Wilderness model's design increased initial torque supply by 25%, doubling its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's fuel consumption was rated at 9.0 L/100 km, and during testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km. The SUV's dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension improved its off-road capabilities, allowing it to handle various terrains with ease. The Forester excelled in off-road environments, demonstrating impressive capability on forest roads and challenging conditions.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered a comfortable and supportive interior for the driver and front passenger, with features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats. The test vehicle included a no-cost bench seat option, increasing seating capacity to eight, but the Highlander felt narrow, making it uncomfortable for three adults in the second row. The third-row seat was low and lacked support, with limited legroom and headroom. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seats folded down, and a maximum capacity of 2,387 litres. However, storage was less generous than the previous generation, and the placement of the wireless smartphone charger blocked access to the storage area.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats and washable materials. The Forester's interior offered high comfort levels, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Storage space was decent, with various compartments and cupholders, and the cargo area measured 818 litres without the panoramic sunroof, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded down. The Forester's roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 100 kilograms and a static load of 362 kilograms, making it suitable for outdoor adventures.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with a range of technology features, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access. The Highlander also offered Driver Easy Speak technology and a video rearview mirror for improved visibility. The JBL sound system provided powerful audio, although it could sound boomy with certain music genres.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, with available navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Forester Wilderness included a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The Harman Kardon audio system delivered clear sound, and the navigation system was helpful, although a breadcrumb function would have been beneficial. The voice recognition system had mixed effectiveness.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure with steering assist. The system added intersection support and emergency steering assistance for 2021. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it earned four-star ratings for frontal-impact crash tests.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced EyeSight 4.0, a camera-based driver assist system with improved accuracy and stability. 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, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The NHTSA awarded the Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, and it was expected to retain the 2021 model's "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.