2023 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its overall sophistication. It was 4 centimetres longer than its predecessor, featuring a revised grille, updated front and rear fascias, and enhanced LED lighting. The sporty new character lines, contrasted by lower body cladding, gave the Kona a more refined appearance. Inside, the instrument panel and centre console were separated, creating a wider, more spacious look. The addition of ambient lighting in the front cupholders and footwells added a touch of elegance. The introduction of the N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-colour cladding and rocker panels, and exclusive interior features like black seats with red stitching and alloy sport pedals, further enhancing the Kona's athletic appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester maintained its traditional design, focusing on function over form. The Premier trim, with its appealing 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, was the best-looking of the lineup. The Forester's robust roof rails, capable of supporting a tent, highlighted its practicality. Inside, the Premier trim offered exclusive brown leather and trim, exposed stitching, and metallic accents, reflecting Subaru's traditional design. The interior was busy, with a mix of grey and silver cladding and a control layout relying on traditional buttons and knobs. Despite its simplicity, the Forester's design was practical and user-friendly, making it a reliable choice for those prioritizing functionality.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains, catering to different performance needs. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line trim, with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, delivered 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, providing a more spirited drive. The Kona N, with its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, offered an impressive 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. This setup included exclusive driving features like N Grin Shift and N Track Sense Shift, enhancing the Kona's performance. The Kona's handling was composed, with a low centre of gravity and AWD, making it agile and stable.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The Forester's SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for quicker responses, while the X-Mode off-road traction control system, with hill descent control, enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Forester Wilderness trim, with all-terrain tires and modifications, was particularly capable off-road. During testing, the Forester Premier handled various weather conditions with ease, inspiring confidence. Despite its adequate power, the Forester's excellent driving dynamics, including light and accurate steering, responsive brakes, and well-tuned suspension, provided a comfortable and engaging ride. However, a turbocharged engine would have been a welcome addition for better performance at elevation.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, offered ample front-seat comfort, with sufficient headroom and legroom. The N Line's front seats provided excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges, with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. The Kona's cargo space, at 544 litres with all seats up, was tight, accommodating only a few bags. Folding the rear seats expanded the space to 1,296 litres, but towing was not recommended.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function, offering features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats from the Touring trim. The Premier trim added leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The Forester's high seating position and large windows provided excellent visibility, making it easy to drive and park. The cargo area, with 762 litres of space behind the rear seats and 1,957 litres with the seats folded, was usefully shaped and equipped with hooks and tie-downs. The Forester's well-sealed doors and ample interior storage added to its practicality.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona featured an 8-inch display with Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system as standard. The N Line and Kona N offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an optional Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. Hyundai BlueLink, available on all but the Essential trim, provided connected services like remote engine start and stolen-vehicle recovery. The Kona's infotainment system was intuitive and user-friendly.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology, though seemingly outdated, was practical and user-friendly. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An 8-inch display with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's older Starlink infotainment system, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs, was preferable to newer systems. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better choice for navigation and other functions.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kona received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crashworthiness tests. However, its child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing it from achieving Top Safety Pick status.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras, improving its performance. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims added features like Automatic Emergency Steering and Rear Automatic Braking. The DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System, available on Limited and Premier trims, monitored driver attention. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, a step down from the previous year's Top Safety Pick+ award, due to "Acceptable" and "Marginal" ratings in new tests. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five stars for crash protection and four stars for rollover resistance.