2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning seamlessly with Volvo's current lineup through signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with a white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. It featured a slightly altered rear bumper due to the absence of exhaust tips and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and premium feel.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in its Wilderness trim, emphasized practicality and ruggedness over style. It featured a suspension lift and higher ride height, with massive protective cladding and a matte-black hood decal, giving it a distinctive, albeit homely, appearance. Inside, the Forester prioritized function, with a combination of hard plastic and soft surfaces that conveyed quality construction. The interior was straightforward, with copper-coloured stitching and accents, and retained the model's 8-inch Starlink infotainment system, which was intuitive despite having three display screens. The Forester's new front styling improved its looks in most trims, but the Wilderness's cladding and matte-black details were not universally appealing.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a versatile powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 variant delivered 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, producing a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It housed a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and the capability for one-pedal driving. The Recharge model also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. All models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply. The CVT allowed the Wilderness to double its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester averaged 9.1 L/100 km in combined driving. While the engine was adequate at sea level, it felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT simulated an automatic transmission with eight programmed ratios, and the Wilderness model included SI-Drive for a more responsive powertrain. The Forester excelled in various environments, with its long-travel suspension and off-road capabilities, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in its Recharge and gasoline variants, offered limited interior space compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It had less legroom and headroom, and a smaller cargo area. The Recharge's frunk was also minimal due to powertrain hardware. However, Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Subaru Forester excelled in functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 100 kilograms and a static load of 362 kilograms, suitable for a three-person roof tent. The Forester 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 squared-off cargo area and new ceiling cargo hooks enhanced practicality.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system had a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions. Recharge models lacked a start button, using a key fob for ignition. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was anticipated for the XC40.

The 2022 Subaru Forester offered a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. 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. The test vehicle had navigation and the Harman Kardon audio system, though a breadcrumb function was desired for off-road navigation. The voice recognition system was inconsistent in effectiveness.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. It included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. It also featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with improved camera-based driver assist technology. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Forester had a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims featured 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.