2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2022 Kia Telluride attracted consumers with its muscular design and balanced proportions, featuring trendy blacked-out wheels and trim. For 2022, Kia made only minor changes to the grille pattern and added new badges. The Telluride was available in LX, S, EX, and SX trims, with prices ranging from $32,790 to $44,590, plus a $1,225 destination charge. The interior was well-organized and upscale, though the glossy plastic on the lower half of the cabin looked cheap, especially in the SX Prestige trim with its Nappa leather upholstery and simulated suede headliner. New standard features included a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, automatic climate control, and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $25,195 and topping out at $35,295, plus a $1,125 destination charge. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured a white exterior, dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945. The Wilderness trim added a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, giving it a rugged look. Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with hard plastic and soft surfaces creating a cabin that felt somewhat inexpensive and dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was easy to use, though the three display screens were less than ideal.

The 2022 Kia Telluride, despite its size and taller center of gravity, was remarkably satisfying to drive. Its 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 262 pound-feet of torque, provided ample power, though it was the only engine option. The eight-speed automatic transmission and available AWD with Lock mode ensured good performance on various terrains. The Telluride offered a smooth ride with its brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system and selectable driving modes. It cruised effortlessly on highways, aided by the excellent Highway Driving Assist technology. During testing, the Telluride SX AWD achieved 21.1 mpg, close to the EPA estimate of 21 mpg combined. The Telluride's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters had a CVT and AWD, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25%. The Wilderness trim also doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester Wilderness achieved 25.9 mpg during testing, close to the EPA estimate of 26 mpg combined. The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode improved the driving experience. The dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension enhanced off-road capabilities, with the Wilderness trim offering 9.2 inches of ground clearance and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2022 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with its upscale, organized interior. Thoughtful details included overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, rear smartphone storage pouches, and USB ports in the front seatbacks. Dual-zone automatic climate control served front-seat occupants, while a single-zone panel served the rear. The SX Prestige package added premium Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. All three rows of seats were comfortable for adults, though the third row was less preferred. The Telluride offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery in the Wilderness trim was water-resistant, and the vehicle included all-weather floor mats, a rubber cargo mat, and washable rear seatbacks. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds. The Forester offered high comfort levels in both front and back seats, with rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof) with the rear seats folded.

For 2022, the Kia Telluride featured a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, though it lost wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. USB charging ports were available in all three rows, and a wireless smartphone charging pad was standard in all trims except the LX. Kia Connect provided connected services, including 911 Connect, remote engine start, and home-to-car smart speaker integration. The Telluride also had a standard Quiet Mode and Driver Talk function. The SX trim included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and a surround-view monitoring system.

The 2022 Subaru Forester's base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trim added access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, and Harman Kardon sound system. The Wilderness trim also included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The Forester's PIN Code Access feature allowed keyless entry for outdoor activities.

The 2022 Kia Telluride included numerous standard driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies under Kia Drive Wise. These features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction. The Telluride also had Highway Driving Assist, Smart Cruise Control-Curve, and Safe Exit Assist. The SX trim featured Blind-Spot View Monitor technology. The Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with a wider field of vision and new Automatic Emergency Steering. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also had a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Touring trim featured DriverFocus facial recognition technology. The Forester earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.