2022 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, was a striking vehicle that eradicated almost all chrome from its exterior, transforming it into a rolling black hole. Despite its modern touches like the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX still looked dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. The interior, however, was a different story, showcasing the legendary Lexus craftsmanship with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet cabin, save for the faint roar of the V8 engine. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210, including destination charges. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the GX 460 Premium, started at $60,535.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly the new Wilderness trim, was evaluated in Bend, Oregon, and the Cascade Mountains. The test vehicle, with white paint and a dark gray interior fitted with water-repellant StarTex simulated leather, had a base price of $33,945, including destination. The Forester's rugged look was enhanced by a suspension lift, higher ride height, and massive protective cladding, though it was often described as homely. Inside, the Forester emphasized function over form, with hard plastic and soft surfaces creating a cabin that exuded quality and clarity of purpose. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was intuitive, and the overall driving experience was practical and well-made, despite the somewhat dated appearance.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. Despite its tall and narrow shoebox shape, the GX managed a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds and an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped maximize wheel articulation off-road while maintaining stability on pavement. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal were less appealing aspects of the driving experience. The Off-Road Package, available only with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and skid plates for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. The Wilderness model featured a CVT that provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply, doubling the towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The EPA estimated the Forester Wilderness's fuel economy at 26 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it averaged 25.9 mpg. The Forester's driving dynamics were pleasing, with the CVT's eight programmed ratios and SI-Drive's Sport mode providing acceptable energy. The dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension improved ride and handling, while the longer springs and shocks of the Wilderness trim raised the suspension and improved ground clearance to 9.2 inches. The Forester excelled in various environments, from town driving to off-road courses, proving its capability and practicality.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat, with clear outward visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various situations, though the slow steering required extra effort. The interior featured comfortable seats and well-placed padding, with physical controls clearly labeled. However, the placement of the stereo and off-roading controls was confusing. The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner, with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The rear seat was tricky to access, and the third-row seat was cramped and eliminated cargo space. The GX's cargo capacity was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit thanks 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, suitable for a three-person roof tent. The Forester's interior was comfortable, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents and quick-charge ports. Storage space was decent, with various bins and pockets, and cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof and 26.9 cubic feet with it. Folding the rear seat down increased cargo capacity to 74.2 cubic feet (69.1 with the sunroof), making the Forester one of the roomiest compact SUVs.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system was easy to see and use, eliminating the need for the old Remote Touch Interface touchpad. The GX also included a CD player, a smartwatch-compatible Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system was available but not installed in the test vehicle. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also featured Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

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. 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, navigation system, Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a 180-degree forward-view camera. The test vehicle's Harman Kardon audio system produced clear, rich sound, and the navigation system was helpful, though a breadcrumb function would have been useful. The voice recognition system was hit-and-miss. The PIN Code Access feature allowed drivers to leave the key fob in the SUV and use a PIN code to re-enter the vehicle.

The 2022 Lexus GX, structurally unchanged for 13 years, lacked crash-test ratings. However, it included Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. Missing were advanced safety technologies like lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and semi-autonomous driving systems.

The 2022 Subaru Forester debuted the next-generation EyeSight 4.0 safety system, with twice the field of vision for improved accuracy and smoothness. It included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The new Automatic Emergency Steering system operated at speeds under 50 mph. 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, with gesture control for climate adjustments. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating.