2022 Subaru Forester

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Rating7.2

Ranked #12 in 

Compact SUV
Write Review
$25,895 - $35,995
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on June 10, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Spacious and comfortable interior

Not as powerful as its rivals.

All-new more off-road-capable Wilderness trim

Good Fuel Economy

Infotainment isn't as intuitive as some of the rivals.

Restyled front end and redesigned roof rails

Standard AWD

Updated brake system

Generous Cargo Capacity

Automatic Emergency Steering is now available.

Above average ground clearance makes it a capable off-roading SUV

Specs & Features

$25,895

price

182 hp @ 5800 rpm

horsepower

176 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

torque

7-speed CVT

transmission

2.5L 4cyl AWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The Subaru Forester gets modest updates for the 2022 model year, and it continues to be one of the most spacious compact SUVs around. The Forester is Subaru's best-selling model. Why? The SUV boasts ample off-roading capability and can go places most rivals can't, thanks to its over 8 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive. You also get plenty of advanced safety features as standard. For 2022, Subaru further enhanced Forester's strengths with the new Wilderness trim. The 2022 Forester Wilderness will be the second model after the Outback Wilderness, introduced last year. It will feature exclusivities like all-terrain tires, even higher ground clearance, additional body claddings, and Wilderness badges on its exterior and interior.



New for the 2022 Subaru Forester is restyled exterior, more standard technology including Automatic Emergency Steering, and larger brakes on the Premium trim. Pricing for the 2022 Forester starts at $25,195 and goes upto $35,295, excluding the destination charge. Overall, the Forester scores high marks in all the departments be it the interior, fuel economy, practicality, safety, and reliability except the engine, which feels a little underpowered. Having said that, the alternatives to the Subaru Forester include the likes of Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Chevy Equinox.

Buying Advice

With the Forester, even the base trim offers an array of standard features and standard driving aids. We would recommend the Forester Premium trim as its adds alloy wheels and a panoramic sunroof that is missing on the base model.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2022 Subaru Forester gets updated trim lineup with a new off-road-focussed Wilderness trim slotting below the loaded Touring model. Those complaining of the Forester's conservative looks have been heard, as Subaru updates the exterior styling - restyled grille and redesigned roof-rails across the lineup. Standard comes the new-gen EyeSight 4.0 advanced driver assistance system.

For 2022, priced at $25,195, the Forester trims and configurations include the Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring trim levels. All trim levels come with the same 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, CVT, and AWD drivetrain. With the arrival of Forester Wilderness, the utility of this compact SUV also increased. It now boasts a Maximum towing capacity of 3,000 pounds. For that kind of money, the compact SUV competes with other popular choices in the segment that include Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Chevrolet Equinox.

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Buying Advice

When the 2022 Subaru Forester gets released for sale, would recommend going for the Premium trim. It adds high-end features like alloy wheels and a panoramic sunroof, making it look like a well-specced and value-for-money model.

Features
7.0/10

The 2022 Subaru Forester offers more choices for the buyer this year, with the addition of the new Wilderness trim. The Forester lineup now offers six trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Wilderness, and Touring. Prices range between $25,195 and $35,295, not including the $1,125 destination charge. All models come standard with Symmetrical AWD, 2.5-liter Naturally Aspirated Flat-4 engine, CVT, STARLINK multimedia infotainment system powered by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and Subaru EyeSight driver-assist technology.

The Wilderness offers exclusive specs and features - starting with a dedicated transmission and all-wheel-drive system. This off-road focussed Forester features special driving modes for deep mud and deep snow along with automatic low gradient control. The Forester Wilderness is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tires, a 180-degree front-view monitor, and an 8-inch touchscreen. 

Trim

Base

Premium

Sport

Limited

Wilderness

Touring

MSRP

$25,195

$28,195

$29,765

$31,875

$32,820

$35,295

Key Features

· Symmetrical AWD

Addition to Base

Addition to Premium

Addition to Sport 

Addition to Limited

Addition to Touring 

 

LED Steering Responsive Headlights

17-inch black machine finish alloy wheels

Steering mounted paddle shifters

Power rear liftgate

17-inch alloy wheels

One-touch folding rear seatback

 

Single Zone automatic climate control

Heated front wheels

18-inch black finished alloy wheels

Dual-zone automatic climate control

Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tires

Ten-way power-adjustable passenger seat

 

6.5-inch infotainment screen

Six Speaker sound system

Sport cloth steering upholstery with orange stitching

Eight-inch infotainment screen

180-degree front-view monitor

Heated rear outboard seats

 

6-way adjustable driver's seat

Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter

8.0-inch driver display screen

Leather seating and upholstery.

Automatic low gradient control

Multimedia navigation system

 

Android Auto & Apple Carplay

Remote keyless entry

Keyless access with push-button start

18-inch split-five-spoke black-finished alloy wheels

 

Nine-speaker Harman Kardon Sound-system.

The range-topping Touring trim adds all of the Limited's optional features and offers features such as a power-adjustable passenger seat, standard driver monitoring system, heated rear outboard seats, heated steering wheel, and memory settings for the driver's seat. With the Forester, even the base trim offers an array of standard features and standard driving aids.

Fuel Economy
5.0/10

The 2022 Forester returns a good gas mileage in the compact SUV segment. Even with the standard AWD, the Forester gets 26 MPG in the city, and 33 MPG on the highway in most configurations. However, the all-new Wilderness trim drops the EPA ratings than other Forester models, rated at 25/28 mpg city/highway. 

Models

2022 Subaru Forester

2022 Honda CR-V

2022 Chevrolet Equinox

2022 Toyota RAV4

MPG (City)

26

28

26

27

MPG (Highway)

33

34

31

35

MPG (Combined)

29

30

28

30

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

16.6

14.0

14.9

14.5

Range (City/Highway/Combined) (Miles)

432/548/482

392/476/420

387/462/417

392/508/435

Another advantage of the Subaru is that it has the largest fuel tank in comparison to the rivals, allowing it to offer over 500 miles of maximum driving range. As expected, the Honda CR-V has the best fuel efficiency overall but it is a let down by its rather small 14.0-gallon gas tank.

Interior
8.0/10

The 5-passenger 2022 Subaru Forester may look narrower than some of its SUV rivals but has one of the roomiest cabins, especially the front-seat shoulder room. The cabin boasts quality materials all-around while the added insulation keeps the noise at bay. The all-new Wilderness trim accentuate the off-road capability with its water-repellent upholstery. Seating is comfortable for even a 6-foot tall adultas the Subaru Forester offers generous 39.4 inches of rear-seat legroom. 

For entertainment and control, the center console adorns either a 6.5-inch infotainment display (standard on lower trims) or an 8-inch touchscreen (available in the higher trims). The Starlink infotainment system is easy to master and use. The graphics are sharp and the screen reponds well to the inputs.

The Subaru Forester has a nice interior overall. Leather and soft-touch plastic are used on most surfaces along with the silver accents. The dashboard design is quite different as it has a small display other than infotainment screen on the top that shows the fuel economy and range and can also display some infotainment stuff. The instrument cluster is the usual two analog dials and a driver’s display setup.

The interior on the Sport trim is great with orange accents used around the A/C vents and on the center console. The cloth upholstery on the base trim is good but the leather upholstery you will get on the Limited and Touring trims suit the cabin better. The driver-side seat is power-adjustable on all but the base trim. Passengers will have to adjust theirs manually. 

Models

2022 Subaru Forester

2022 Honda CR-V

2022 Chevrolet Equinox

2022 Toyota RAV4

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder room/Legroom) (inches)

41.2/58.2/43.3

40.1/57.9/41.3

40.0/57.2/40.9

39.5/57.8/41.0

Rear Row (Headroom/Shoulder room/Legroom) (inches)

39.6/57.2/39.4

39.2/55.6/40.4

38.5/55.5/39.9

39.5/56.4/37.8

Trunk Capacity (cu-ft.)

31.1

39.2

29.9

37.6

The seats though are pretty flat but can’t expect everything at this price range. The boot space on the Forester is 31.1 cubic feet and it will remain unchanged for the upcoming year. CR-V offers a spacious cabin along with the highest cargo capacity. 

With the available 8-inch screen you can get a Harmon Kardon system. We expect an anti-glare display with at least 12-inches or more to make the 2023 Forester standout even further; it’s trending nowadays. Some matte coating for the switches will do well too.

The notable interior features of the Subaru Forester include:

  • 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
  • SiriusXM all-access satellite radio
  • Bluetooth audio streaming
  • Travellink navigation
  • AndroidAuto
  • AppleCarplay
  • FM/AM
  • Hands-free phone

Exterior
6.0/10

For 2022, all Forester models feature a restyled front end - a new grille, headlights, fog lights, and bumper cover. Around the rear, the 2022 Forester boasts has a revised rear underguard design. New wheel designs are also available with some models. The redesigned roof rials with integrated tie-down locations make the SUV even more stronger than the previous models.

Subaru claims the new Forester with redesigned roof rails provides 44 extra pounds of dynamic and 100 added pounds of static capacity. Breaking the news is the new Forester Wilderness that offers exclusive design elements inside and out. Its matte-black wheels, white-lettered all-terrain tires, a matte-black hood decal and bolder protective cladding around the body catch the eye. It will not take more than a glance to identify the Forester Wilderness, thanks to its anodized copper accents.

Models

2022 Subaru Forester

2022 Honda CR-V

2022 Chevrolet Equinox

2022 Toyota RAV4

Curb Weight (lbs)

3453

3337

3274

3370

Length (inches)

182.1

182.1

183.1

180.9

Width (inches)

71.5

73.0

72.6

73.0

Height (inches)

67.5

66.1

65.4

67.0

Ground Clearance (inches)

8.7

7.8

7.9

8.4

Wheelbase (inches)

105.1

104.8

107.3

105.9

The Subaru Forester has always been an SUV with understated looks but the refreshed 2022 Forester will change that perspective. Also, the Sport trim of the Forester looks the best among all both on the inside and the outside. The Forster offers a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, which is a lot higher than the rivals. The larger ground clearance allows the Forester to offer the best off-road capabilities among rivals. The new Wilderness offers 9.2 inches of ground clearance, even more than the standard models.

The notable exterior features of the Subaru Forester include:

  • Adaptive LED Headlights with DRLs
  • LED foglights
  • 17-inch/18-inch alloy wheels
  • Automatic high beam
  • Roof rails
  • Blacked-out front and rear bumper
  • Keyless entry
  • Power liftgate

Safety
9.0/10

The 2022 Forster is yet to go through safety tests. However, the 2021 Forester has done pretty well in the NHTSA tests, scoring 5-Stars in every category and 4 stars in the rollover rating. The rollover risk is at an expected 16.90%. The IIHS safety ratings reflect the amazing results with a ‘Good’ rating in every category. No doubt it has got the Top Safety Pick+ award. All 2022 Foresters get new and improved EyeSight 4.0 as standard. This package comes with an array of active safety features and technology including a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. The DriverFocus Distraction system detects the drowsiness of the driver and provides the required assist.

The notable safety features of the Subaru Forester include:

  • Blindspot detection
  • Rear traffic cross alert
  • Rear vision camera
  • Reverse automatic braking

Competition
6.0/10

2022 Subaru Forester vs. 2022 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V takes away all the points in the design section. The aggressive headlight setup itself uplifts the overall look of the SUV. Performance-wise it is all known to everyone that the CR-V is one of the best in the segment. The CR-V's interior is on par with the Subaru, but the all-digital instrument cluster steals the show.

2022 Subaru Forester vs. 2022 Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4 is the best-looking SUV in its segment. The engine makes the most power in its segment, and the fuel efficiency also is good, on par with the Subaru. It also has hybrid motors that add more power and increase fuel efficiency. The RAV4's interior is very well designed compared to the Forester. This segment is really about comfort and fuel efficiency and all of the SUVs are more or less doing the job well.

2022 Subaru Forester vs. 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

When comparing both compact SUVs, the Forester is a superb choice. Though the Chevy Equinox offers some nice features including the driver preset memory package, the Forester offers significant specs like symmetrical all-wheel drive and 112 cubic ft passenger volume. The Forester has most of the features as standard and that makes ur a tremendous choice over the Equinox.

Final Verdict

The 2022 Forester is Subaru's best-selling model, and for many good reasons. This compact SUV serves its purpose nicely, with ample practical interior, high safety score, fuel-efficient powertrain, and affordable pricing. The interior is on par with the competition, and with extra options, it feels better than the price you pay. Sure the suspension setup needs improvement, but the ride is quite comfortable. The Forester is better at off-roading than many of its rivals and with the new Wilderness model it extends its utility even further.

Trims

    Base
    $25,895 onwards
    • 17-inch matte-black alloy wheels
    • 1st and 2nd row Sliding glass Sunroof
    Premium
    $28,895 onwards
    • 1st and 2nd row Sliding glass Sunroof
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Heated mirrors
    Sport
    $30,465 onwards
    • 18-inch black aluminum Wheels
    • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
    Limited
    $32,575 onwards
    • 18-inch machined w/painted accents aluminum Wheels
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Leather Seat trim
    Wilderness
    $33,520 onwards
    • Engine: 2.5L 4cyl AWD CVT
    • Horsepower: 182 hp @ 5800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 176 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.3 sec
    • Top Speed: 115 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 26 mpg
    Touring
    $35,995 onwards
    • Navigation system

Compare to similar cars

Price

$25,895- $35,995

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.19

Horsepower

182 hp @ 5800 rpm

Torque

176 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

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Gasoline

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Gasoline

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203 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

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Gasoline

8.01

295 hp @ 6600 rpm

263 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

8

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Gasoline

7.65

191 hp @ 6100 rpm

181 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

-

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Gasoline

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177 hp @ 5750 rpm

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Gasoline

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Gasoline

6.64

180 hp @ 6400 rpm

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-

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Gasoline

7.45

181 hp @ 6000 rpm

175 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

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2022 Subaru Forester vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.2 sec16.5 sec115 mph
    6.8 sec15.1 sec130 mph
    7.2 sec--
    7.3 sec15.0 sec122 mph
    7.4 sec15.7 sec124 mphreddit
    7.7 sec16.0 sec120 mph

    2022 Subaru Forester vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      26 mpg33 mpg29 mpg16.6 gal.431.6/547.8 mi.
      30 mpg37 mpg33 mpg14.5 gal.435/536.5 mi.
      28 mpg34 mpg30 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/448.8 mi.
      28 mpg34 mpg30 mpg14 gal.392/476 mi.
      27 mpg35 mpg30 mpg14.5 gal.391.5/507.5 mi.
      28 mpg34 mpg30 mpg14.8 gal.414.4/503.2 mi.

      2022 Subaru Forester vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        182.7 in.71.5 in.67.5 in.8.7 in.105.1 in. -
        194.9 in.76 in.68.1 in.8 in.112.2 in. -
        188.8 in.75.9 in.68.3 in.8 in.112.2 in. -
        188.4 in.74.8 in.66.3 in.8.2 in.108.9 in.
        187.4 in.74.8 in.65.7 in.5.7 in.108.3 in. -
        186.1 in.72.4 in.66.4 in.7.4 in.109.9 in. -

        2022 Subaru Forester vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          28.9 cu.ft.111.6 cu.ft.74.2 cu.ft.
          31.1 cu.ft.104 cu.ft.79.8 cu.ft.
          29.9 cu.ft.103.5 cu.ft.63.9 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.141.3 cu.ft.84.3 cu.ft.
          38.7 cu.ft.108.2 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.
          39.2 cu.ft.105.9 cu.ft.75.8 cu.ft.

          2022 Subaru Forester vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            74.2 cu.ft.28.9 cu.ft.74.2 cu.ft.-
            69.8 cu.ft.37.6 cu.ft.69.8 cu.ft.-
            50.8 cu.ft.-50.8 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            14.7 cu.ft.-72.1 cu.ft.-
            63.3 cu.ft.29.6 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.98 ft.
            60.1 cu.ft.30.7 cu.ft.60.1 cu.ft.-

            2022 Subaru Forester vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              1500 lbs.1437 lbs.3454 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1685 lbs.4145 lbs.
              2000 lbs.-3298 lbs.
              2000 lbs.-3717 lbs.
              2000 lbs.1171 lbs.3467 lbs.
              2000 lbs.1202 lbs.3305 lbs.

              2022 Subaru Forester Crossover Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              81

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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