2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trims, including the base, Convenience, Touring, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Premier. The base model started at an MSRP of $29,495, while the Premier trim reached $40,595, with an additional $1,800 destination charge. All-wheel drive was standard across all models, and Subaru offered a variety of dealer-installed accessories. The Forester Wilderness, new for 2022, featured a white exterior and a dark grey interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, priced at $38,995, including destination. The Wilderness model had a rugged appearance with a suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding, which some found unappealing. Inside, the Forester focused on functionality, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, and an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system with physical controls. While the Wilderness trim's styling was divisive, the Forester overall was well-made, with improved front styling in most trims.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander boasted a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window. Despite its spacious interior, the Highlander appeared smaller from the outside. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, navy blue exterior, unique styling, ambient lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander was available in LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum trims in Canada. The base LE trim included standard all-wheel drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like LED fog lights, power-adjustable seats, wireless charging, and a power liftgate. The Limited and Platinum trims offered premium features such as a panoramic moonroof, JBL audio system, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Highlander's design and features catered to those seeking a blend of style, comfort, and technology.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply. This allowed the Wilderness to double its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's fuel consumption was rated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 9.1 L/100 km. While the engine was adequate near sea level, it felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT simulated an automatic transmission with eight programmed ratios, and the Wilderness trim included SI-Drive for a sportier response. The dual-function X-Mode system offered improved off-road capabilities, and the re-tuned suspension enhanced ride and handling. The Forester excelled in various environments, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with a tap-shift function and standard all-wheel drive. The Highlander offered Sport, Normal, and Eco drive modes, as well as Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes for the AWD system. The V6 engine provided good pickup once moving, with a throaty exhaust note during acceleration. The Highlander's handling was commendable, with the XSE trim's sport-tuned suspension reducing body roll while maintaining comfort. The Highlander could tow up to 2,268 kilograms and had a max payload of 775 kilograms. Its performance was well-suited for both city and highway driving, offering a balance of power and efficiency.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and washable materials, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. 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 offered high comfort levels, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the sunroof and 762 litres with it, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The squared-off cargo area and new ceiling cargo hooks added practicality.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander provided up to 2,387 litres of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row seats in use, it offered 1,370 litres, and 453 litres with all seats deployed. The Highlander featured quick-release latches for easy seat adjustments and a power liftgate on higher trims. The front cabin had ample storage, with deep door pockets and various trays. The XSE trim's second-row captain’s chairs provided a centre aisle to the rear seats, enhancing space and comfort. While the second row was spacious for adults, the third row was best suited for short trips.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen with available navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was straightforward, with hard buttons for easy navigation. The XSE trim featured a wireless charging pad and USB ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL stereo system were available on higher trims, offering enhanced audio and display options.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags. Optional safety features included parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, a surround-view monitor, and a digital rearview mirror. The Highlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.