2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Subaru Forester, available in various trims including the Wilderness, was known for its practicality and rugged appeal. Starting at $29,495 and reaching up to $40,595, it offered standard all-wheel drive across all models. The Wilderness trim, priced at $38,995, featured a distinctive look with white paint, dark grey interior, and water-repellant StarTex simulated leather. Its exterior design, with a suspension lift and protective cladding, gave it a unique, albeit polarizing, appearance. Inside, the Forester focused on functionality with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system, and intuitive controls, though the three display screens were less than ideal.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid presented a more refined and luxurious experience. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models shared a similar exterior design with the standard RX 350, save for subtle badges. The RX 500h stood out with its performance-oriented styling, including a blacked-out grille and matte-black wheels. The interior of the RX was minimalistic, featuring contemporary textures and ambient lighting. The RX 350h Luxury trim boasted Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h offered a sportier all-black interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim. The RX 350h started at $63,436, and the RX 500h at $83,086, reflecting their premium positioning.

The 2022 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft 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 L/100 km, and during testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km. While the engine was adequate at sea level, it felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT simulated an automatic transmission with eight programmed ratios, and the SI-Drive system provided a Sport mode for more lively response. The Forester excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension, which improved ride and handling.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine, delivering 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, with a fuel consumption rating of 6.5 L/100 km. It accelerated to 100 km/h in about 7.5 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 100 km/h in around 6 seconds. However, its fuel consumption was higher at 8.6 L/100 km, and during testing, it averaged 11.3 L/100 km. The RX 500h featured an adaptive damping suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and Active Sound Control, enhancing its driving dynamics. The RX 350h, with its lower centre of gravity and electric assist motor, offered a more secure and comfortable ride.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to its tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. 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 for both front and rear passengers, with 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 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a luxurious and comfortable interior. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, seat heating and ventilation, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the rear seat, slightly raising the seat cushion and affecting rear headroom. Cargo space was 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the seat folded, offering significant improvement over the previous model.

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 navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function was desired, and the voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription to connected services for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-based navigation, and an Intelligent Assistant. The system worked well, though it had some limitations, such as single-screen menu viewing and lack of a tuning knob. The available head-up display included dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be problematic with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with a wider field of vision and improved accuracy. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Forester also offered a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology. 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 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve-speed reduction. It also included lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. Proactive Driving Assist was available, automatically slowing the RX to maintain a safe following distance. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these features were not tested.