2022 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and a more adventurous aesthetic. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it was designed to tackle tougher terrains, resembling more of a Jeep than a station wagon. The vehicle featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. Its unique design elements included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, all complemented by a new Geyser Blue paint option. Inside, the Outback Wilderness was outfitted with dark gray StarTex water-repellant upholstery, Anodized Copper stitching, and all-weather floor mats, creating a robust and functional interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester maintained a more traditional SUV appearance, prioritizing function over form. Its design was consistent with previous Forester models, featuring flared fenders and a narrow waist. The Premier trim, however, added a touch of elegance with 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. Inside, the Forester Premier offered brown leather upholstery, metallic accents, and a user-friendly layout with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. Despite its utilitarian design, the Forester provided excellent visibility and ease of use, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided ample power for the midsize SUV, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.9 on the highway, though real-world testing showed an average of 11.0 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though its performance was somewhat hindered by the CVT's droning and soft gear changes. The vehicle's all-wheel drive system, combined with its lifted suspension and all-terrain tires, made it highly capable off-road, with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. While not as powerful as the Outback, the Forester's lighter weight made it feel more lively. The CVT in the Forester also featured eight programmed ratios and a Sport driving mode for improved responsiveness. The Forester's X-Mode off-road traction control system, along with its hill descent control, made it capable in challenging conditions. During testing, the Forester demonstrated excellent driving dynamics, with a comfortable yet communicative ride and responsive handling. However, its fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 9.1 L/100 km compared to the official rating of 8.2 L/100 km.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The interior offered heated front and rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Rear seat space was generous, with ample head and legroom, and the cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,144 litres with the seats folded. The Outback Wilderness also boasted a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with a focus on simplicity and practicality. The Touring trim included a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Higher trims offered StarTex or genuine leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The Forester's interior was spacious, with excellent visibility and easy entry and exit. Cargo space was slightly less than the Outback, with 762 litres behind the rear seats and 1,957 litres with the seats folded. The Forester also featured a well-sealed cabin, though the panoramic sunroof could lead to increased solar heating.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, integrating climate control and offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While physical knobs were provided for volume and tuning, most functions required the touchscreen, and the voice recognition system was less than ideal. The lack of a premium audio system was a notable omission for this model.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester offered a 6.5-inch or optional 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use volume and tuning knobs. The Forester's system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a CD player, with an available Harman Kardon audio system. However, the voice recognition system was unreliable, making smartphone integration a more practical choice.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also had steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback received high safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Subaru Forester introduced an updated EyeSight system with improved software and cameras. It included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered additional features like Rear Automatic Braking and DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, though it showed some decline in newer safety tests.