2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 model had a rugged appearance with a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, giving it a distinctive look. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, creating a cabin that felt well-constructed but somewhat dated. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L maintained the classic style of the original Grand Cherokee while extending its length by over 30 centimetres. The Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package featured blacked-out elements and dark grey 21-inch wheels, creating a bold appearance. The interior of upper trims was luxurious, with black leather, gold stitching, and matte-finish light walnut accents. While not every material was top-tier, the overall feel was justified for a vehicle approaching $90,000. The Grand Cherokee L's design included modern elements like slim LED lighting and integrated exhaust tips, ensuring it looked both tough and upscale. The interior offered a polished black dash with an optional touchscreen, a metal gear selector dial, and diamond-patterned stitching, contributing to a classy atmosphere.

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. 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 had eight programmed ratios, and the Wilderness model included SI-Drive for a more responsive powertrain. The dual-function X-Mode system offered improved off-road capabilities, and the re-tuned suspension provided a comfortable ride with less body roll.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine delivered 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but it was considered underwhelming for the SUV's size. A 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine was optional, offering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving towing capacity to 3,265 kilograms. Fuel economy for the V6 was rated at 13.0 L/100 km city, 9.4 highway, and 11.3 combined, while the V8's ratings were worse at 16.7 L/100 km city, 10.9 highway, and 14.1 combined. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis provided confident handling, and the air suspension allowed for adjustable ground clearance. The SUV offered three different four-wheel-drive systems, with the most advanced including a low-range transfer case and limited-slip differential.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized 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 a rubber cargo mat. 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 comfortable seating with excellent visibility, rear air conditioning vents, and quick-charge ports. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the sunroof and 762 litres with it, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's extended wheelbase provided ample legroom for second-row passengers. Standard second-row captain's chairs and an optional 60/40 bench seat offered flexibility. The third row was best suited for children. The SUV featured a power liftgate and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof on higher trims. Visibility was good, but the infotainment system had legibility issues. Cargo space was generous, with 481 litres behind the three rows, 1,330 litres behind the second row, and 2,407 litres with both rows folded.

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 sound system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function was desired, and the voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch screen with navigation. All systems ran Uconnect 5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The McIntosh sound system was available on upper trims. Night vision and Active Driving Assist were optional on higher trims. The passenger screen allowed for independent media control and navigation assistance.

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 earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023. It scored five stars in most NHTSA tests, with four stars for rollover. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking and 360-degree cameras.