2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had not seen a major redesign in 12 years, though it had received updates over time. Despite its age, the 4Runner's design remained functional and timeless, with a two-box body, flared fenders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The SUV's rugged appearance was complemented by its practical interior, which featured hard plastic materials, large knobs, and manual air conditioning. The Trail Special Edition, priced at $38,565 MSRP for the RWD model, included black cloth upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a custom-made cooler.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in the Wilderness trim, emphasized functionality and practicality. The Forester's design included a suspension lift, higher ride height, and protective cladding, giving it a rugged appearance. Inside, the Forester featured water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, copper-colored stitching, and a focus on function over form. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, and the Wilderness trim added features like a 180-degree forward-view camera and a full-size spare wheel and tire.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It had a five-speed automatic transmission and a part-time 4WD drivetrain. The 4Runner excelled off-road, thanks to features like A-Trac, a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with a combined fuel economy of 17 mpg.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The Wilderness trim offered a 25% increase in initial torque supply and doubled the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester's fuel economy was 26 mpg in combined driving. While the Forester lacked a turbocharger, it performed well in various driving conditions, including off-road, thanks to its dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner offered a high seating position, making entry and exit challenging for shorter individuals. The interior was comfortable, with supportive front and rear seats, ample legroom, and good visibility. Cargo space measured up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition included a sliding cargo deck and a large roof rack for additional storage.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized ease of entry and exit, with tall seating hip points allowing for a slide-in, slide-out experience. The interior featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat. The Forester's upgraded roof rails accommodated a dynamic load of 220 pounds and a static load of 800 pounds. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it, expanding to 74.2 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Forester's squared-off cargo area and new ceiling-mounted cargo hooks added to its practicality.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, and dynamic voice recognition. The system was user-friendly, with physical shortcut buttons and knobs for easy operation.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, even in base trim, included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim added a 180-degree forward-view camera. The Forester's infotainment system was intuitive, though the voice recognition system was hit-and-miss.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision from the IIHS.

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. The Forester also featured a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The Touring trim added 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 "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.