2023 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to embrace a more modern and upscale aesthetic. This transformation was evident in the Enclave's exterior, which featured a refreshed grille, updated front and rear fascias, and new headlamp and taillamp designs. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheel design. Inside, the Enclave offered a refined cabin with upgraded materials, a restyled centre console, and climate-controlled front seats in the Avenir trim. The overall look and feel of the Enclave were a step above its predecessors, offering a near-luxury experience that was both comfortable and visually appealing.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester maintained its focus on function over form, with a design that prioritized practicality and simplicity. The Forester's exterior, while not particularly striking, was characterized by its boxy shape and utilitarian features like robust roof rails. The Premier trim added a touch of sophistication with satin chrome exterior trim and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Forester offered a straightforward and functional cabin with brown leather and metallic accents in the Premier trim. The interior layout was user-friendly, with traditional buttons and knobs for easy operation. While the Forester's design may not have been as upscale as the Enclave's, it excelled in providing a practical and comfortable driving experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided a smooth and responsive driving experience, with the Enclave's AWD system ensuring confident handling in various conditions. The Enclave's ride quality was further enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. This setup allowed the Enclave to handle different terrains with ease, offering a quiet and comfortable ride thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The Enclave's towing capacity of 2,268 kg made it a versatile choice for those needing to haul trailers or boats.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, mated to a CVT with eight programmed ratios. While the Forester's powertrain was less powerful than the Enclave's, it offered adequate performance for everyday driving. The Forester's SI-Drive system and X-Mode off-road traction control system, with settings for Deep Snow and Mud, provided added versatility for off-road adventures. The Forester Premier trim demonstrated excellent driving dynamics, with responsive steering, effective brakes, and well-tuned suspension. Despite its lower power output, the Forester's handling and ride quality were commendable, making it a reliable choice for those seeking adventure in various terrains.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample room for passengers in all three rows. The Enclave's large windshield and window openings provided excellent visibility, while the standard eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat ensured comfort for front-seat occupants. The Enclave's tri-zone climate control and rear-seat climate controls added to the overall comfort. With a cargo capacity of 668 litres behind the third row, 1,634 litres with the third row folded, and 2,758 litres with both rows down, the Enclave provided generous storage space for various needs. The power-folding third-row seats made accessing the cargo area even more convenient.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized practicality and functionality, with a design that emphasized ease of use and comfort. The Forester's high seating position and large windows offered excellent visibility, making it easy to drive and park. The Premier trim featured comfortable power-adjustable front seats, though the rear seats could have offered better support. The Forester's cargo area was well-designed, with 762 litres of space behind the back seat and 1,957 litres with the back seat folded. The Forester's interior storage options were plentiful, with various pockets and compartments for stashing items. The power liftgate and hidden storage under the load floor added to the Forester's practicality.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came equipped with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system allowed pairing of up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot supporting up to four devices. The system's interface was user-friendly, though some graphics appeared dated. The Enclave also offered a range of advanced features, including adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and HD surround vision, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's infotainment system was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use volume and tuning knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was less reliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation. Despite its older technology, the Forester's setup was simple and effective, providing a satisfying user experience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave received significant updates to its safety features, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This package included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and more. The Enclave earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight technology, offering improved collision avoidance and driver assist features. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims added Automatic Emergency Steering and Rear Automatic Braking. The Forester's DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System was available on Limited and Premier trims. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" rating in the new side-impact test and a "Marginal" rating in the small-overlap frontal-impact assessment. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings and a four-star rollover resistance rating.