2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Subaru Forester presented a range of trim levels, from the base model to the Premier, with prices starting at $29,495 and reaching $40,595. The Forester Wilderness, a new addition for 2022, featured a rugged design with white paint and a dark grey interior, priced at $38,995 including destination. Despite its homely appearance, the Wilderness model offered a suspension lift and higher ride height, enhancing its off-road capabilities. 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.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia boasted a bold redesign, merging the look of the Toyota Tundra with a newly styled SUV body. The Sequoia's interior, especially in the Capstone trim, featured an industrial theme with leather, wood, and metallic finishes. A 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the Capstone's interior was luxurious, albeit with some materials reminding of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $79,335 to $95,335. While the TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, the Sequoia's ground clearance and angles suggested less capability than its predecessor.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All models featured a CVT and AWD, 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, though it lacked engine power and experienced wind noise at higher speeds. The long-travel suspension absorbed bumps effectively, and the Wilderness trim's off-road capabilities were impressive.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain, delivering 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms, and its fuel efficiency improved to 11.7 L/100 km. During testing, it averaged 13.2 L/100 km. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, but its ride quality was busy and occasionally jittery. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive. Despite these issues, the Sequoia's power and torque were notable improvements over the previous model.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized 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. The Forester offered comfortable seating and decent storage space, with cargo capacity ranging from 762 to 2,101 litres, depending on the configuration.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, with a comfortable cabin featuring leather upholstery, a JBL audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs did not slide, limiting third-row space. The Sequoia's cargo capacity was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, with a maximum of 2,460 litres, significantly less than its predecessor. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the overall utility was reduced compared to previous models.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. 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. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim and a 14-inch screen on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with connected services and an Intelligent Assistant. The Capstone trim offered a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The infotainment system was intuitive, though glare on the display was an issue.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. Standard features 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 Toyota Sequoia included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, with features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sequoia's safety systems were effective, though crash-test ratings were not yet available.