Subaru Forester vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a classic SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a traditional design characterized by a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and grille, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling. It featured 20-inch wheels as standard, with 22-inch wheels available on higher trims. The interior boasted high-end materials, including Nappa leather upholstery, with options for Palermo leather and American Walnut wood trim. The Grand Wagoneer offered 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, heated first and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel, enhancing its luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester maintained a functional design, prioritizing simplicity and substance over style. Its appearance was reminiscent of previous Forester models, with a boxy shape and flared fenders. The Premier trim stood out with 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. The Forester's interior featured brown leather and metallic accents, with an 8-inch touchscreen and traditional buttons and knobs for easy control. Despite its utilitarian design, the Forester offered excellent outward visibility, making it easy to drive and park. The panoramic sunroof, however, lacked sufficient tinting, leading to solar heating issues. The Forester's interior was practical, with ample storage and a spacious cargo area, accommodating up to 1,957 litres of cargo with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a robust 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabled the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds. The vehicle featured a standard Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing traction. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, allowed for adjustable ride height, providing up to 25.4 cm of ground clearance. Despite its power, the Grand Wagoneer was best suited for a stately pace, as its size and weight made it feel ungainly at higher speeds.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and a Subaru Intelligent Drive system offering a Sport mode. The Forester's X-Mode off-road traction control system included hill descent control, with additional settings for Deep Snow and Mud in higher trims. The Forester Premier demonstrated its capability in adverse weather conditions, handling flooded roads and muddy trails with ease. While the engine was adequate, the Forester's driving dynamics were impressive, offering a comfortable yet communicative ride with responsive steering and brakes. However, a turbocharged engine option would have been appreciated for better performance at elevation.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Cargo space was generous, with 775 litres available with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kg, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins, although forward visibility was somewhat limited.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function, offering a practical and spacious interior. The Touring trim included a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims featured StarTex artificial leather or perforated genuine leather, dual-zone climate control, and heated rear seats. The Forester excelled in outward visibility, with tall glass and thin windshield pillars. Cargo space was ample, with 762 litres behind the rear seats and 1,957 litres with the seats folded. The Forester's doors were well-sealed, and interior storage was plentiful, though some compartments were smaller than ideal.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a comprehensive infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. A McIntosh audio system, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 system, with an Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates, though the screen response was occasionally slow.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated at first glance, but its functionality was commendable. The Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's older Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use volume and tuning knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims included Automatic Emergency Steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all but the Base trim. The Rear Automatic Braking system was sometimes overly sensitive, and the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System was exclusive to higher trims. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.