Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Forester

Base trim: $27,975  

Pictured: RAV4 Off-Road in Cavalry Blue with Ice Edge Roof. MSRP as tested $42,700.

Base trim: $26,495.

Pictured: Forester Wilderness (2022 model). MSRP starting from $34,320.

The RAV4 has been the nation's top-selling SUV for many years. It offers a wide range of trim levels and options, including hybrid and plug-in models, to appeal to different budgets. The RAV4 scores highly in safety and reliability and has good fuel economy, even in the gas engine types.  If you're looking for a practical SUV that's built to last, you can't go wrong with RAV4.

We now consider the RAV4's technology to be impressive thanks to new updates to the multimedia system and driver information display.

The lineup offers several more capable models in terms of towing and off-roading.  Multi-Terrain Select is standard on All-Wheel Drive (AWD) gas models.

The only issue you may encounter is finding one, especially if you want specific features. There's high demand for this vehicle, so you may need to order or wait to get exactly what you want.

We love the Subaru Forester! The Car Pro, Jerry Reynolds, calls it one of his favorite SUVs for its EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, its capability, and outstanding value.

Foresters are great for off-roading and winter driving conditions because they are equipped with Subaru's amazing Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. In addition, all models except the base trim get Hill Descent Control and X-MODE, which increase capability in a wide range of conditions.

The Forester is a roomy SUV for passengers in both rows and offers impressive cargo space with the 2nd-row down. Upholstery options include leather-trimmed seats and water-repellent upholstery.

For 2023, all RAV4 models are equipped with the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system with over-the-air updates, dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

TRD Off-Road, Hybrid XSE, Limited/Hybrid Limited, and Prime XSE now all come standard with a new 10.5-inch Multimedia display for 2023. Other models feature a new 8-inch Multimedia screen.

A new 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display is  standard on Limited/Hybrid Limited and Prime XSE,  and optional on TRD Off-Road and Hybrid XSE grades. A 7-inch Multi-Information Display screen is standard on lower trims.

The Forester received a refresh in 2022, which included the debut of the Wilderness trim.

For  2023, the entry level Base trim gets an updated multimedia system.

The lineup also comes with the latest version of Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assistance technology as standard equipment.  

• Better standard (and available technology) including the new Toyota Audio Multimedia system
• Lineup offers more towing capability 
  
  

• Ride and drive are spectacular and the all-around visibility is great

• More overall passenger volume and cargo space (with the 2nd row down) than the RAV4 

• Engine is on the louder side.
• You may have to order: as one of the nation's most popular SUVs, the RAV4 is often short in supply. 

• Tech not as impressive as the RAV4
• Not as powerful as the RAV4 and acceleration is a little lacking

28-30 mpg

26/29 mpg

25 -27 mpg

25-26 mpg

32-35 mpg

28/33 mpg

• New 10.5-inch Multimedia display with 6 speakers  (TRD Off-Road, Hybrid XSE, Limited/Hybrid Limited). 8-inch with 6 speakers screen is base 
• New Toyota Audio Multimedia system with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, standard SiriusXM (subscription required) and dual Bluetooth phone connectivity
  
• 12.3-inch Multi-Information Display (Limited/Hybrid Limited and Prime XSE). 7-inch display is base
• Optional 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio 
• Optional wireless charging
• SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription
• 1 yr trial Drive Connect subscription  
• Backup camera or backup camera with dynamic gridlines depending on trim
  
  

• SUBARU STARLINK^® 6.5-inch Multimedia or available 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus, or available
•  8.0-inch Multimedia Navigation, Multifunction display or color multifunction display
• Apple CarPlay®, Android™ Auto and Bluetooth® hands-free phone and audio streaming connectivity as well as SiriusXM® and a CD player.  
• Standard 4- or 6- speaker audio system
• Available Harman Kardon 9-speaker premium audio system (standard on Touring trim)
• Standard Rear Vision Camera, optional 180-degree Front View Monitor

• 5 USB ports
• One 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet  in front instrument panel storage tray and one 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet in cargo area

• Standard 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability on all but the base model
• 1 or 2 USB ports up front,  available rear 2 USB charging ports

• Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5) with Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), ^*Road Sign Assist (RSA) 
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• OPTIONAL: Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)

• Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology: Pre-collision Braking System, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane departure and Sway Warning, Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering  (Standard across lineup)
• High Beam Assist (Standard across lineup)
• Brake Assist and Brake Override System
• Available Reverse Automatic Braking 
• DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System (Touring trim only)
• Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (Sport, Wilderness,Limited and Touring only.) 

• 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts
• Front and outboard second-row seatbelts with seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats
• Star Safety System™ — includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC),  Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST)  
• Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control
• Eight airbags  — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags

• SUBARU STARLINK Safety and Security
• Subaru advanced frontal airbag system (SRS)
• Side curtain airbags (SRS)
• Seat-mounted front side-impact airbags (SRS)
  
• Driver's knee airbag (SRS)
• Whiplash-reducing front seats with height- and tilt-adjustable head restraints
• Height-adjustable 3-point front seatbelts
• Rear child-safety door locks
• LATCH system: Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
• Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)
• Traction Control System (TCS)
• 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System 

182.7"

182-horsepower

176 lb.-ft

12.4 (FWD) 13.2 (AWD)

16.6 gallons

3,370 -3,640 lbs

3,454 -3,620 pounds

1,500 lbs. (LE, XLE, XLE Premium and Limited) 3,500 lbs. (Adventure grade/TRD)

1,500 pounds