2022 Subaru Forester vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Subaru Forester was available in several trims, including the base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. It started at an MSRP of $25,195, with the top-tier Touring model priced at $35,295, excluding a $1,125 destination charge. The Forester was known for its standard all-wheel drive across all trims, making it a practical choice for various terrains. The Wilderness trim, tested in the Cascade Mountains, featured a rugged design with a suspension lift, higher ride height, and protective cladding, giving it a distinctive, albeit polarizing, appearance. Inside, the Forester emphasized functionality with a mix of hard plastic and soft surfaces, offering a quality feel despite its somewhat dated look. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia boasted a bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra, with a more traditional grille and front bumper. The Capstone trim level featured an upscale interior with leather, wood, and metallic finishes, dominated by a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system. The Sequoia's interior was luxurious, though some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The lineup included the SR5, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Capstone trims, with prices ranging from $59,895 to $79,895, including a $1,595 destination charge. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, while the SR5 and Limited trims could be equipped with a TRD Off-Road Package for added versatility.

The 2022 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with the Wilderness model offering a 25% increase in initial torque supply. This allowed the Wilderness to double its towing capacity to 3,000 pounds. The Forester Wilderness achieved an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing yielding 25.9 mpg. The SUV excelled in various environments, from city streets to off-road trails, thanks to its long-travel suspension and dual-function X-Mode system. However, the lack of a turbocharger left it feeling sluggish at higher altitudes.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and its payload capacity rose to 1,730 pounds. The new model was more fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. During testing, the Sequoia Capstone averaged 17.8 mpg. The SUV offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and its regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2022 Subaru Forester prioritized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to its tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. 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 offered comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers, with ample storage space and a squared-off cargo area. With the rear seats folded, it provided up to 74.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a quiet cabin with comfortable front seats, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The Sequoia's cargo space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, offering just 11.5 cubic feet with the third-row seat in its rearmost position. Folding the second-row seats expanded cargo capacity to 86.9 cubic feet, but this was significantly less than the previous-generation model.

The 2022 Subaru Forester came equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and HD Radio. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness trim included a 180-degree forward-view camera, and the PIN Code Access feature allowed keyless entry for outdoor activities.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, user accounts, and an Intelligent Assistant. The Capstone trim offered a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the system experienced some glitches during testing, and the head-up display was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Forester also offered a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While the Sequoia had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, the Tundra on which it was based received high ratings, suggesting similar performance for the Sequoia.