2023 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically known for its softer lines and functional interiors, Buick had shifted its focus to SUVs, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, with its mid-cycle refresh, showcased several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave offered a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and luxurious features like heated, cooled, and massaging front seats, especially in the Avenir trim. The interior's Ebony perforated leather seats with unique stitching added a touch of elegance, making the Enclave a comfortable and visually appealing choice.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, maintaining a design that had remained consistent over the years. The Forester's appearance was practical, with a focus on utility rather than style. The Touring trim, however, added a touch of sophistication with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. Inside, the Forester offered a straightforward and functional cabin with Saddle Brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents. The interior was designed for ease of use, with traditional buttons and knobs for controls, making it user-friendly. Despite its busy appearance, the Forester's interior was practical, with ample storage and excellent visibility, making it a reliable choice for those who valued simplicity and functionality.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. The Enclave's AWD system and 7.5 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road trails. The Avenir Technology package further enhanced the driving experience with a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping, ensuring a comfortable ride across various terrains. Despite its size, the Enclave offered responsive acceleration and a pleasant engine sound, making it a well-rounded performer in its class.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Forester's SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for improved responsiveness, while the X-Mode off-road traction management system provided additional driving modes for different terrains. The Forester's driving dynamics were impressive, with light and accurate steering, responsive brakes, and excellent suspension tuning. Despite its adequate power, the Forester's engine was louder than expected, but its driving dynamics compensated for this shortcoming. The Forester returned 25.9 mpg during testing, slightly below its EPA rating, but its overall performance made it a capable and confident choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The cabin provided ample room for passengers in all three rows, with power-adjustable and heated front seats as standard. The Enclave's second-row captain's chairs made accessing the third row easy, and the power-folding third-row seats added convenience. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, although the placement raised concerns about potential spills affecting the electronic components.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, offering a practical and user-friendly interior. The Forester's high seating position and large windows provided excellent visibility, making it easy to drive and park. The Premium trim included features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. The Forester's cargo area was well-designed, with 26.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Forester's interior storage was plentiful, with well-sealed doors and thoughtful storage solutions throughout the cabin, making it a practical choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless phone charging. The Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. The Avenir trim offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium trim added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, 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 a better choice for navigation and other functions. Despite its shortcomings, the Forester's technology package was functional and user-friendly.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight system, offering improved driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies. The system included features like Automatic Emergency Steering and Rear Automatic Braking. The Touring trim added a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with an "Acceptable" rating in the new side-impact test and a "Marginal" rating in the small-overlap frontal-impact assessment. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings and a four-star rollover resistance rating.