2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors made loading children into car seats a breeze, even in tight parking spaces. The Odyssey offered a spacious and comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers with ease. Its cargo space was impressive, rivaling that of larger SUVs when the seats were folded down or removed. Despite its utilitarian design, the Odyssey managed to incorporate a sense of style, with kinked sliding doors and sleek character lines. The Touring trim level added a touch of sophistication with dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and quality leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester was a compact SUV that emphasized functionality and practicality. Its design was rugged, especially in the Wilderness trim, which featured a suspension lift, protective cladding, and a matte-black hood decal. The interior focused on durability, with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather and all-weather floor mats. The Forester's cabin was well-constructed, offering a blend of hard plastic and soft surfaces. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. The Forester's design prioritized utility, making it a reliable choice for those seeking adventure and practicality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system and a 10-speed automatic transmission. While it lacked all-wheel drive and hybrid options, the Odyssey offered a fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 10.4 L/100 km. The Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration and responsive handling. However, its brakes tended to heat up during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The Wilderness model offered a 25% increase in initial torque supply and doubled the towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's fuel consumption was estimated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres, with an actual average of 9.1 L/100 km during testing. The Forester excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension. However, it lacked the power of a turbocharged engine, which affected its performance at higher altitudes.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and versatile interior, with easy entry and exit due to its low ride height. The Touring trim featured quality leather seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seats provided flexibility for families, allowing for easy access to the third row. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with the seats removed. The Odyssey's interior was designed for convenience, with numerous storage compartments and an onboard vacuum cleaner.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to its tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery and all-weather floor mats. The Forester's interior was practical, with ample storage space and upgraded roof rails for outdoor adventures. The cargo area offered 818 litres of space, expandable to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The Forester's design focused on durability and practicality, making it a reliable choice for those seeking adventure.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. The Touring trim included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, as well as a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated compared to rivals, lacking features like a larger screen and a tuning knob. The embedded navigation system required specific voice commands, making it less user-friendly than smartphone-based navigation.

The 2022 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The Forester's infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for easy access. However, the voice recognition system was inconsistent in its effectiveness.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centring assist. The Forester earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The Wilderness trim's modified height may require re-testing.