Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4VS 2025 Subaru Forester

The Rav4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Forester doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Rav4 and Forester offer Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Rav4 (except LE) has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Forester’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Rav4 and the Forester have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Forester.

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Subaru is ranked 6th.

The Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 23 more horsepower (203 vs. 180) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 178) than the Forester’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota Rav4 is faster than the Subaru Forester:

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 gets better mileage than the Forester:

The Rav4 stops much shorter than the Forester:

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Rav4 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Forester.

The Rav4 4WD handles at .84 G’s, while the Forester Sport pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume than the Forester with its rear seat up (37.6 vs. 29.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Rav4 easier. The Rav4’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the Forester’s liftover is 28.9 inches.

The Rav4’s cargo area is larger than the Forester’s in almost every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4. The Forester doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The power windows standard on both the Rav4 and the Forester have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Rav4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Forester prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Rav4’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Forester’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Forester can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Rav4 XLE/Limited’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Forester’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Unlike the Subaru Forester’s fixed side view mirrors, the Toyota Rav4 features foldable mirrors that offer convenience for drivers and pedestrians alike. When parked, these mirrors can be manually folded to create a smaller footprint, making it easier to walk past or park more vehicles in an area. Additionally, the Toyota Rav4’s foldable exterior mirrors are designed to absorb impact force if struck, reducing the likelihood of costly repairs.

The Rav4 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Forester doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Subaru Forester by almost three to one during 2023.