2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while adding a touch of modern character. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and blunt front end, but with softer lines and more chrome detailing, it presented a more refined appearance. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive feature that blended seamlessly with the overall design. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism, with high-quality materials and a thoughtfully arranged interior. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery added a unique touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a high-end feel, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained cabin.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester focused on practicality and ruggedness, particularly in the Wilderness trim. The Forester's design was more utilitarian, with features like a suspension lift, higher ride height, and protective cladding giving it a rugged appearance. The interior emphasized function over form, with hard plastic and soft surfaces creating a cabin that felt well-constructed but somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal. The Forester excelled in off-road environments, with its long-travel suspension and Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires providing excellent capability. However, the exterior styling and lack of engine power were less appealing, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. While the XC90's power was impressive, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90's drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—offered varying levels of efficiency and power, but the Pure mode was limited to low speeds. Despite these limitations, the XC90 excelled in luxury, with a smooth ride and quiet cabin, aided by an optional air-suspension system. The XC90's towing capacity was 2,250 kilograms, suitable for moderate loads.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The Forester's continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive system provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply in the Wilderness model, doubling its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's fuel consumption was rated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres, with the test drive averaging 9.1 L/100 km. While the Forester's engine was adequate at sea level, it felt sluggish at higher altitudes, where a turbocharger would have been beneficial. The CVT's eight programmed ratios simulated an automatic transmission, and the SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for improved response. The Forester's dual-function X-Mode system enhanced off-road capability, and the re-tuned suspension improved ride and handling. The Forester excelled in various environments, though engine power and wind noise were drawbacks.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with headroom and legroom in all three rows being average for the segment. The third-row space was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The optional power sunroof and upright roof profile gave the interior a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Storage space was limited, with a shallow centre console storage bin. Cargo space was 317 litres with all seats in place, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded, placing it near the bottom of the segment. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized 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 a rubber cargo mat. 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's interior offered high comfort levels, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Storage space was decent, with various bins and pockets. Cargo space was 818 litres without the panoramic sunroof and 762 litres with it, with a total of 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The squared-off cargo area was usefully shaped, and the Wilderness trim included a full-size spare under the cargo floor.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The system was user-friendly, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that allowed for easy navigation. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were available. However, the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and only second-row USB-C ports were available.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. The Touring trim and higher featured an 8-inch screen, with available navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle had navigation and the Harman Kardon audio system, which produced clear sound. The navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been beneficial. The voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. The XC90 also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with improved camera-based driver assist technology. 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, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology. The Forester received a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance.