2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Jeep Renegade

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, was based on the same platform as the Jeep Compass but drew its design inspiration from the iconic Wrangler SUV. It featured a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. The 2019 refresh carried over into 2021, making previously optional features standard. Inside, the Renegade had a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, offering easy access to controls. It came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each with unique features and equipment.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, available in base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims, started at $25,195 MSRP and topped out at $35,295 for the Touring model. The Forester Wilderness, tested in Bend, Oregon, featured a white exterior, dark gray interior with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, and a base price of $33,945. 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 construction. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was intuitive, though the three display screens were less than ideal.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The turbocharged engine provided better performance due to its higher torque, though the automatic transmission sometimes struggled with smooth shifts. The Renegade had a solid ride quality, was maneuverable in tight spaces, and featured a terrain management system with various drive modes. The Trailhawk trim, with its off-road suspension and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, was the most capable off-road variant.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. All Foresters had a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Wilderness model featured a CVT design that increased initial torque supply by 25% and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester Wilderness averaged 25.9 mpg during testing. The CVT had eight programmed ratios and included SI-Drive for a more lively response. The dual-function X-Mode system offered various settings for different surfaces, and the Wilderness trim had a re-tuned suspension with 9.2 inches of ground clearance. The Forester excelled in various driving environments, including off-road conditions, though it lacked engine power and had excessive wind noise at higher speeds.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with the seats in use. These specs were above average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Renegade's tall, boxy design offered plenty of headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats and adequate space for adults in the rear. The interior featured helpful storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold completely forward for added space.

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, a rubber cargo mat, and washable material on the rear seatbacks. 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 front and back seats, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the rear seats down increased the cargo space to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), making it one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect system, featuring a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and a helpful dock with icons for major functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a Kenwood premium audio system was available.

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 the base trim. The Premium trim added access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trims featured an 8-inch screen, with options for a navigation system and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim also included a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle had both navigation and the Harman Kardon audio system, which produced clear, rich sound. The PIN Code Access feature allowed for keyless entry after engaging in outdoor activities.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and front and rear parking sensors were available as options. Despite these features, the Renegade received a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with improved camera-based technology and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. EyeSight 4.0 included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim included DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The Forester received a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).