2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trims, including base, Convenience, Touring, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Premier. Prices started at $29,495 MSRP for the base model, with the Premier trim reaching $40,595. An additional $1,800 destination charge applied, and Subaru offered a variety of dealer-installed accessories. All-wheel drive was standard across all models. The Forester Wilderness, new for 2022, featured white paint, a dark grey interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $38,995, including destination. The Wilderness trim added a suspension lift and higher ride height, resulting in 22.9 centimetres of ground clearance. However, the oversized cladding and matte-black hood decal gave it a somewhat unappealing appearance. Inside, the Forester focused on functionality, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, copper-coloured stitching, and an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system. Despite its somewhat dated look, the Forester was well-made, with intuitive controls and a quality construction feel.

The 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents, creating a classy yet sporty appearance. It was available in two body styles: the regular Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. The Sportback's design included a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 offered a refined and simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system was positioned atop the dash, and materials quality was good for the class. However, the Q5 no longer felt as special as it once did, with rear-seat passengers surrounded by harder plastic elements. The Q5's build quality was sturdy, with no squeaks or creaks over rough surfaces, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

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. All models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The Wilderness model offered a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 9.1 L/100 km. The Forester's engine was adequate near sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT simulated an automatic transmission with eight programmed ratios, and the Wilderness trim included SI-Drive for a more lively response. The dual-function X-Mode system was standard, offering improved speed management and hill descent control. The Wilderness trim featured a re-tuned suspension, longer springs, and shocks, raising ground clearance to 22.9 centimetres. The Forester excelled in various environments, including off-road courses and forest roads, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI quattro was a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI quattro increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 37 kilometres of electric-only range. All Q5s featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The 45 TFSI engine had a noticeable delay in power delivery, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, power was adequate. The Q5's handling was sporty, with precise steering and a good balance between compliance and cornering. The engine and exhaust remained quiet unless pushed hard, and road and wind noise were well-managed for a calm cabin.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The StarTex upholstery was water-resistant, and the Wilderness trim included all-weather floor mats and washable materials. 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. Comfort levels were high, 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 Forester's cargo area was usefully shaped, with new cargo hooks and a full-size spare under the cargo floor.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018 but was still functional. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned for easy viewing, with traditional dials and buttons for climate controls. Visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar. The Q5 offered ample space for taller passengers, with minimal headroom reduction in the Sportback model. Storage options included several oddly shaped pockets, a wireless phone charger, and accommodating door pockets. Cargo space was 730 litres behind the rear seats, slightly reduced to 700 litres in the Sportback. The Q5's cargo capacity was competitive, though not class-leading.

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

The 2023 Audi Q5 featured a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth and available SiriusXM satellite radio. A Bang & Olufsen audio system was standard on higher trims. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with Audi Connect Care service included for a limited time. Mid-range trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel called the virtual cockpit.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with improved field of vision and accuracy. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. Additional features included a rear-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. 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 2023 Audi Q5 received five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a "Good" rating in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist.