2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2022 Subaru Forester presented a practical and functional design, with a range of trim levels from base to Premier. Prices started at $29,495, with the Premier model reaching $40,595, plus a $1,800 destination charge. The Forester Wilderness, new for 2022, featured a rugged look with white paint, dark grey interior, and water-repellant StarTex simulated leather. Its exterior, with oversized cladding and a matte-black hood decal, gave it a distinctive, albeit polarizing, appearance. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality over aesthetics, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal. Overall, the Forester's design was well-made, but the Wilderness trim's styling choices were not universally appealing.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX boasted a commanding presence with its large spindle grille and 206 millimetres of ground clearance. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned with limited availability and exclusive paint options. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design leaned towards a more rugged aesthetic, with flared fenders and a sleek overall look. The interior, however, was marred by an abundance of plastic materials, which detracted from its luxury status. While the GX offered some luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats and leather upholstery, its design felt dated, and the research and design budget seemed long spent. The GX's overall aesthetic was a mix of rugged capability and outdated luxury.

The 2022 Subaru Forester was powered by a 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, with real-world testing showing an average of 9.1 L/100 km. The SUV excelled in various driving environments, from city streets to off-road courses, though it lacked engine power and suffered from wind noise at higher speeds. The long-travel suspension provided a smooth ride, and the dual-function X-Mode system enhanced off-road capability.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 4.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 offered a satisfying driving experience with a linear power delivery. The GX's towing capacity was 2,948 kilograms, but its fuel economy was less impressive, with estimates of 16.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 14.5 combined. The GX's weight contributed to its predictable and controllable roll through corners, and its driving dynamics were improved despite its age. The Torsen limited-slip differential and standard four-wheel drive system enhanced its off-road capability, making it user-friendly in challenging conditions.

The 2022 Subaru Forester excelled in functionality, with easy entry and exit and a practical interior. 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, making it suitable for outdoor adventures. The Forester offered comfortable seating and decent storage space, with a cargo capacity of 818 litres without the sunroof and 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The squared-off cargo area was usefully shaped, and the Wilderness trim included a full-size spare tire.

The 2023 Lexus GX provided ample cubby space for small items, with a deep centre console bin and convenient cupholders. The decision to retain hard buttons for controls was a practical choice, though the abundance of buttons required some getting used to. The second row offered good legroom and headroom, but the third row was too tight for regular use. The side-hinged trunk door was not power-operated, and the cargo space was limited, with 328 litres behind the rear seats and 1,832 litres with both rows folded. The GX's interior was comfortable but lacked the spaciousness of some competitors.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. 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 for off-roading. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an improvement over the previous model. It included SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and smartphone compatibility. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX also offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. However, the infotainment technology felt dated compared to other Lexus models, with lagging performance and less crisp graphics. The GX's strength lay in its off-road capability, with a real 4WD system and various driving-focused technologies.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Forester also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear automatic braking system. The NHTSA awarded the Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, and it was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included the Lexus Safety System+ with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Despite its older design, the GX offered modern safety technology, though it lacked some top-end features.