2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, and trapezoidal wheel arches, giving it an upright profile reminiscent of the 2021 Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, a unique hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel center caps were protected by acrylic glass. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent suspension, and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood and composite tailgate were used. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered high-end features such as 24-way power front seats with memory and massage functions, Nappa leather upholstery, and American Walnut wood trim, setting it apart from the standard Wagoneer.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign for its sixth generation, resulting in a more cohesive yet conventional look. Its blockier shape and rugged appearance, accentuated by black plastic elements, gave it a visual heft similar to a fun-sized Ford Explorer. The hybrid model mirrored its non-hybrid sibling, with subtle badges and an optional contrasting black roof on the top Touring trim. Inside, the Forester Hybrid retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard center section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with ample cushioning in the front seats and heated outboard rear seats in the top trim. While some felt the Forester lost some personality, its design aimed for broader appeal.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabled the Grand Wagoneer to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, despite its hefty 6,400-pound weight. The vehicle came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, featuring a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. It also included Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system with five drive modes. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, allowed for adjustable ride height, providing up to 10 inches of ground clearance. While the Grand Wagoneer excelled in off-road capabilities, its size and weight made it less agile on the road, with a bouncy ride at higher speeds and imprecise steering.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system producing 194 horsepower. The hybrid system included two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The Forester Hybrid's all-wheel-drive system used a traditional driveshaft, promising better traction off-road. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission made it feel slower, with the engine emitting a monotone groan at higher speeds. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and engine power. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road, thanks to Subaru's X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control. On-road, it offered a firmer ride, with some passenger jostling over moderate undulations, but remained comfortable overall.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. However, front-row space was more limited compared to these rivals. The Grand Wagoneer offered 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 70.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Its maximum cargo capacity of 94.2 cubic feet was less than some competitors. The vehicle boasted a towing capacity of 9,850 pounds, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unimpeded forward view, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats provided ample space, and the cockpit felt open and airy. Rear seats offered generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets, though space was not overly generous. The Forester Hybrid offered 27.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for easy loading. An optional digital rearview mirror maintained visibility when the cargo area was fully loaded. The Forester Hybrid's upright tail design allowed for bulkier items, making it practical for everyday use.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. A McIntosh audio system, simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, and a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot were standard. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch touchscreen for climate control, with an optional rear-seat entertainment system. The Grand Wagoneer also offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and Fire TV for Auto. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, supported over-the-air updates. While the system was functional, the screen response was slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, built-in navigation, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system featured large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. Physical buttons flanking the screen allowed for no-look temperature adjustments. The X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible via the touchscreen, with external camera views aiding off-road navigation. A WiFi hotspot and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system were available on higher trims. The infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly design and functionality.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included a driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. Active Driving Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering, requiring hands-on driving. A hands-free version was planned for future release.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model a Top Safety Pick, with "Good" ratings in most categories. The Forester Hybrid came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Rear automatic braking and automatic high beams were also standard. The safety systems functioned reliably, with the option to disable audible alarms for lane-keep assist.