2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trim levels, including base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Prices started at $25,195 for the base model, with the top-tier Touring reaching $35,295. A destination charge of $1,125 was added to the cost, and Subaru offered a variety of dealer-installed accessories. All-wheel drive was standard across all trims. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured white paint, a dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945, including destination. Additional options like a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate brought the total to $36,014.

The Forester's exterior design was functional but not particularly attractive, especially in the Wilderness trim with its suspension lift, higher ride height, and extensive protective cladding. Inside, the Forester emphasized practicality over aesthetics, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, featuring physical knobs and buttons for easy navigation. Overall, the 2022 Forester felt well-constructed, though the Wilderness trim's rugged details and small 17-inch wheels were not universally appealing.

The 2023 Ford Bronco was offered in nine distinct trim levels, all featuring a blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering. The Bronco's blocky shape, wide horizontal grille, and large round headlights were unmistakable. The Base trim had a primitive look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim showcased a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The new Heritage trim added nostalgic elements like a white grille, roof, and wheels, along with unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's styling was not just for show; functional features like cleats above the headlights and raised "fins" helped with cargo securing and obstacle navigation.

Inside, the Bronco continued its rugged theme with a broad dash and sealed switches and buttons for easy cleaning. The interior materials prioritized durability over luxury, with features like drain plugs in the floor and waterproof marine-grade vinyl upholstery. Sturdy handholds and a grid-like mesh on the seat backs added to the Bronco's practicality. While the interior was not as refined as typical SUVs, it was quieter than the Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco's high-riding dimensions and big all-terrain tires required careful handling on curving roads, but it felt more confident than expected. The four-door model offered more space and easier access, making it a better choice for families.

The 2022 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. All Foresters came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The Wilderness model's CVT provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling its towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated the Forester Wilderness's fuel economy at 26 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 25.9 mpg.

The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and included SI-Drive for a more responsive Sport mode. Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system, standard on most trims, offered various settings for different surfaces and improved hill descent management. The Wilderness trim's longer springs and shocks raised the suspension to 9.2 inches, improving approach, breakover, and departure angles. Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires and an aluminum front skid plate enhanced off-road capability. The Forester excelled in various environments, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise above 65 mph.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices: a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 with 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the Raptor with 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder engine was available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 engines were automatic-only. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case.

The base four-cylinder engine was adequate for most on- and off-road adventures, while the 2.7-liter V6 was better suited for the heavier four-door model. The Raptor's EcoBoost engine provided excessive power, making it a thrilling choice. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical family SUV but more stable than the Jeep Wrangler. It tracked straight on highways and had a quieter interior. The Bronco's high-riding dimensions required careful handling on curving roads, but it felt more confident than expected. The four-door model offered easier maneuverability with the help of several cameras.

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, 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, suitable for a three-person roof tent. The Forester offered comfortable seating with excellent visibility, rear air conditioning vents, and quick-charge ports. Storage space was decent, with various bins and bottle holders.

Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the rear seats down increased capacity to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof). The squared-off cargo area was usefully shaped, and new cargo hooks were added for 2022. The Wilderness trim included a full-size spare under the cargo floor.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space. The four-door model was better for shuttling passengers, with easier access to the rear seats. Up front, the Bronco offered plenty of storage options, including netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for phones. Accessory rails atop the dash and a USB jack added convenience. The two-door Bronco had 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door model offered 35.6 cubic feet and 77.6 cubic feet, respectively. The rear seats did not fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo and sleeping.

Hardcore off-roaders appreciated the easily removable fenders and doors. The fenders could be taken off without tools, and the doors required a single bolt for removal. The Raptor's oversized fenders were not intended for removal.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Premium trim added a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle's navigation system was helpful but lacked a breadcrumb function. The voice recognition system was hit-and-miss.

The Forester's PIN Code Access feature allowed drivers to leave the key fob in the vehicle and use a PIN code to re-enter, ideal for outdoor activities.

The 2023 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. drive modes optimized engine and suspension settings for various terrains, making it easier for novices to navigate challenging conditions. Experienced off-roaders could manually select features like transfer case gearing and sway-bar disconnects. Numerous camera views helped in tight confines, showing proximity to obstacles and predictive lines for tire placement. The Trail Turn Assist feature allowed the Bronco to turn sharply by braking the inside rear wheel.

The Bronco's infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford’s SYNC 4, and an optional wireless charging pad. Most Broncos came with an 8-inch touchscreen, but a 12-inch display was available for easier use.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, which had twice the field of vision of the previous version. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. A new Automatic Emergency Steering system operated at speeds under 50 mph. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction.

The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with 5-star ratings in all evaluations except for rollover resistance, which received 4 stars. The IIHS had not rated the 2022 model, but it was expected to retain the 2021 model’s “Top Safety Pick+” rating.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial crash test results from the NHTSA, with the four-door model earning four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the four-door Bronco a "Good" rating in most crashworthiness tests, except for head restraints and seats, which received an "Acceptable" rating.

All Bronco models came with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. The Mid package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package included front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system, while the Luxe package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.