2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trims, including base, Convenience, Touring, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Premier. Prices started at $29,495, with the Premier trim reaching $40,595, plus a $1,800 destination charge. All-wheel drive was standard across all models. The Forester Wilderness, priced at $38,995, featured a white exterior, dark grey interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a suspension lift for increased ground clearance. Despite its rugged modifications, the Forester's design was more functional than stylish, with a focus on practicality over aesthetics. Inside, the cabin combined hard plastic and soft surfaces, emphasizing quality construction and functionality, though it appeared somewhat dated.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design, offering a clean and simple aesthetic. The test vehicle featured Eiger Grey paint, silver 23-inch wheels, and a Black Exterior Pack, exuding understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim added to the luxurious feel. The Range Rover Sport was available in Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One trims. The Dynamic SE test vehicle included heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other premium features, pushing the MSRP beyond $120,000. The design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and excellent aerodynamics.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. 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, and during testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km. The SUV excelled in various environments, including off-road courses and forest roads, thanks to its re-tuned suspension and dual-function X-Mode system. However, the lack of a turbocharger made it feel sluggish at higher altitudes.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography trim, providing 434 hp. The SUV could accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and tow up to 3,500 kilograms. The Range Rover Sport featured a new vehicle architecture with a 35% increase in torsional stiffness, adaptive damping air suspension, and various driving modes. While it excelled in off-road conditions, the SUV's performance on winding roads was less impressive, with noticeable body roll and steering that lacked involvement.

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. The Forester offered comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers, with decent storage space and a cargo capacity of 818 litres, expandable to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, providing a tall, airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats offered 20-way power adjustments with heating and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and narrow door openings. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. The SUV included a power liftgate and various storage solutions, though the rear seatback angle was too reclined for comfort.

The 2022 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use. The SUV offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system, but the native digital assistant struggled with basic commands.

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 "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured numerous safety systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also offered a surround-view camera system and Remote Park Assist. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less smooth and reliable than expected.