2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was subtly updated for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs debuted for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. Buyers could choose from five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including the $1,120 destination charge. The Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces, giving it a more luxurious feel.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came in base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trim levels, with prices starting at $25,195 for the base model and topping out at $35,295 for the Touring trim. The destination charge was an additional $1,125. The test vehicle, a Forester Wilderness, was priced at $33,945, including destination, and featured white paint, a dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and an option package that added a navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a power rear liftgate, bringing the total to $36,014. The Wilderness trim included a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, giving it a rugged appearance. Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with hard plastic and soft surfaces creating a cabin that exuded quality of construction and clarity of purpose, even if it appeared somewhat inexpensive and dated.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels, producing 280 horsepower. The transmission included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management, a fuel-saving technology, and the EPA estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it featured a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling qualities were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering, a firm but comfortable ride, and expertly managed body motions. The brakes, however, did not withstand much abuse, heating up and fading during a Southern California heatwave.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as the previous year, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters had a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated 26 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 25.9 mpg. The Forester's engine emitted the characteristic grumble of a boxer-style engine, but felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive for a more lively response. The Wilderness trim included Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system for improved off-road capability and a re-tuned suspension for better ride and handling. The Forester excelled in various environments, including off-road courses and minimally maintained forest roads, but lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise above 65 mph.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was standard in all but the base LX trim, and the Elite trim included a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided various seating modes, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit, water-resistant StarTex upholstery, and standard all-weather floor mats. The upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds. The Forester offered high comfort levels in both the front and back seats, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Storage space was decent, with various bins and bottle holders. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof) with the rear seats folded. The Wilderness trim included a full-size spare under the cargo floor.

Starting with EX trim, the 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Touring trim added a navigation system, HondaLink subscription service plans, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. The Odyssey also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, and built-in streaming apps. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services in base trim. Premium trim added access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a 180-degree forward-view camera. The Forester also offered a PIN Code Access feature for outdoor activities. The navigation system was helpful, but a breadcrumb function was missing, and the voice recognition system was hit-and-miss.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured Honda Sensing, a collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), as standard on all trims. Honda Sensing included low-speed follow capability for adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. The Odyssey earned top five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for all assessments except rollover resistance, which received a four-star score. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was expected to award the Odyssey a Top Safety Pick recommendation.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, which included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. EyeSight 4.0 had twice the field of vision of the previous system and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.