2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trims, including the 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 Forester models. The Forester Wilderness, new for 2022, featured a white exterior and a dark grey interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, priced at $38,995, including destination. The Wilderness trim added a suspension lift and higher ride height, resulting in 22.9 centimetres of ground clearance. However, the extensive protective cladding and matte-black hood decal gave it a raccoon-like appearance. Inside, the Forester focused on functionality, with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, copper-coloured stitching, and an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system. While the Wilderness's exterior design was polarizing, the Forester's overall build quality and intuitive controls were appreciated.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its minivan image with a design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. It offered various trims, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, and Limited, with a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim. The Sienna's interior was praised for its high-quality materials, such as brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. It accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the LE and XLE trims offering the larger capacity. The Sienna's middle-row seats could support three car seats across, and the Platinum trim featured extending ottomans for added comfort. The Sienna's design and features made it a practical choice for families, despite its minivan roots.

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. The Forester's fuel consumption was rated at 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with the test drive averaging 9.1 L/100 km. The Forester's engine was adequate at sea level but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT simulated an automatic transmission with eight programmed ratios, and the Wilderness trim included SI-Drive for a more responsive powertrain. The dual-function X-Mode system improved off-road capabilities, and the re-tuned suspension enhanced ride and handling. The Forester excelled in various environments, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and two front-mounted electric motors, plus a third rear-mounted motor for AWD trims. The system produced 245 net horsepower, which was less impressive than competitors. The Sienna's CVT was not the best-sounding, and its acceleration was lacklustre compared to the Odyssey. However, the Sienna's chassis and steering were praised for their nimbleness and ease of driving. The Sienna offered several drive modes, but Normal mode was recommended for the best balance. The Sienna's light steering and tidy turning radius made it enjoyable to drive in the city, despite its size.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized 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's interior offered comfort and practicality, with decent storage space and a squared-off cargo area. Cargo capacity was 818 litres without the panoramic sunroof and 762 litres with it, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled in interior storage solutions, with a large cubby below the centre console and a long shelf across the dash. The Sienna's three-zone climate control and ample cupholders added to its practicality. Measuring 5,175 millimetres in length, the Sienna offered 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the seats folded. Total cargo space was 2,860 litres, though the middle row could not be removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain's chairs were functional and comfortable, with extending ottomans available on higher trims.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 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. The navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function was desired. The voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna used an older infotainment interface with SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system had physical buttons, but the interface felt outdated and clunky. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection, and accessing Android Auto was cumbersome. The 9-inch touchscreen was adequate, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system sounded good.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted 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 also featured a rear-seat reminder, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The NHTSA awarded the Forester a 5-star overall crash-test rating, and it was expected to retain the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna came standard with advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a 5-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. While competitors offered additional features, the Sienna's safety technology was comprehensive.