Toyota RAV4 Vs. Subaru Forester Reliability

https://www.findthebestcarprice.com/author-ftbcp

Geoff Cudd

Geoff Cudd

I am a serial entrepreneur and a consumer advocate. When I’m not helping car buyers, I love working on ventures that have a positive impact.

I run a cause marketing agency and serve on the board of Vayu Global Health where we are disrupting the medical industry and preventing the needless deaths of mothers and babies during childbirth.

Linkedin

Toyota and Subaru deserve much credit for their products during the 1990s. At that time, these two companies introduced the Rav4 and the Subaru Forester.

These two compact SUVs offered a blend of size and efficiency that remains true today.

The Toyota Rav4 and Subaru Forester have evolved over time. For instance, while the former still offers a hybrid option, Subaru now emphasizes the features of the interior and off-road capabilities of the Forester.

Toyota's current Rav4 is designed to provide various features and options. It features more passenger room and off-road capabilities and comes with a choice of a regular four-cylinder or a hybrid model.

The article covers everything you need to know about Rav4 vs. Forester reliability.

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Detailed Comparisons

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Price and Value

For consumers looking for a compact SUV with standard all-wheel drive, the Subaru Forester is a good choice. It starts at $25,195 and goes up to $35,295.

The base model of the Subaru Forester is called the "Forester." It comes with a standard four-cylinder engine. In 2022 models, the engine is a naturally-aspirated 2.5L.

The Subaru Starlink system, a connected services package, is available on the Premium model of the Subaru Forester. It includes a variety of features and options.

Some of these have automatic collision notifications and roadside assistance. Other features included in the Subaru Starlink system, such as remote engine start and geo-location, are free for the first six months.

The base model of the Subaru Forester doesn't come with a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the company's PIN Code Access system is available if you're looking for a more convenient option.

This feature allows you to lock and unlock your vehicle outside.

The Toyota Rav4 is a good choice for people looking for a compact SUV with various features and options.

It starts at $26,525 and goes up to $43,125. The most popular model within this price range is the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, with a base price of $29,075.

The Prime plug-in hybrid model of the vehicle starts at around $39,000. A federal tax credit of up to $7,500 is available on the 2022 model.

The 2022 Toyota Rav4 comes with various trim levels and options. These include the LE, XLE, and Limited models, which come with standard front-wheel drive.

Other models, such as the Adventure and TRD Off-Road, have standard all-wheel drive.

All hybrid models of the Toyota Rav4 come with a standard four-cylinder engine and a battery pack.

The Prime plug-in hybrid model of the vehicle has a larger battery pack that can provide up to 42 miles of pure electric range.

The regular Rav4 Hybrid is available in various trim levels and variants. These include the LE, XLE, Limited, SE, XSE, and Premium.

Toyota's Safety Connect package is part of the company's Connected Services division and will be available on every Rav4 model in 2022.

It includes various features and options, such as automatic collision notification. Some models also have a one-year remote start and engine start.

Winner: Subaru Forester

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Reliability and Quality

Despite being a compact SUV, the Subaru Forester still managed to rank third in the JD Power 2022 Vehicle Dependability study.

It did not perform well in the JD Power 2021 Initial Quality study. The 2022 model of the Subaru Forester comes with roadside assistance and a warranty.

It comes with a Standard warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles and Roadside aid of 3 years or 36,000 miles.

Despite not being among the top three compact SUV models in the JD Power 2022 and 2021 IQS studies, Toyota still managed to rank higher than Subaru in both of these studies.

The company's roadside assistance and warranty are available on the 2022 Rav4 model. It also comes with a Standard warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles and a Hybrid system warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles.

Winner: Toyota RAV4

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Performance and Efficiency

The Subaru Forester in 2022 comes with a standard four-cylinder gas engine that produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-foot of power.

The base model comes with a continuously variable transmission. The upgraded version of the CVT is available in the Wilderness trim level.

All 2022 Subaru Forester models come with X-Mode technology, which helps prevent wheel spin in certain situations.

The Premium, Sport, and Wilderness trim levels include hill-descent control and dual-mode X- Mode.

The latter adds a Deep Snow/Mud setting. The low-speed/low-ratio control mode in the Wilderness model selects a lower gear ratio.

The EPA estimated that the Subaru Forester in 2022 can achieve a combined city and highway fuel economy of 29 miles per gallon.

However, the upgraded version of the CVT and knobbier tires in the Wilderness trim level can only achieve 26 miles per gallon.

Toyota's compact SUV, the Rav4, 2022, comes with a standard four-cylinder gas engine that produces 200 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The base model comes with 8-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota's all-wheel-drive models, such as the Rav4, come with various terrain modes. The company's upgraded All-wheel-drive system is similar to that of Subaru's X Mode.

It allows the vehicle to transfer more power to the rear wheels to improve its handling. The Limited, Adventure and TRD Off-Road models are equipped with hill-descent control.

The Rav4 in 2022 can go up to 8 inches of ground clearance, depending on the trim level. It also comes with upgraded suspension and all-terrain tires for better off-road capabilities.

With properly equipped models, such as the TRD Off-Road, a Rav4 can tow 3,500 pounds more than the average vehicle.

The EPA estimated that the Toyota Rav4 can achieve a combined city and highway fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon.

However, the all-wheel-drive model, which comes with the TRD Off-Road, is the least fuel-efficient of the models.

The Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class, can achieve a combined city and highway fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon.

The heavier Rav4 Prime, on the other hand, can achieve 38 miles per gallon in combined driving.

Winner: Both

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Safety and Driving Assistance

In addition to being equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, the Subaru Forester in 2022 also comes with various safety features.

These include a forward-collision warning system, Lane-Keeping Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control. The company's EyeSight 4.0 package also comes with various other safety features.

The Premium model of the Subaru Forester in 2022 comes with a blind-spot warning system and automatic emergency steering.

It also comes with a rear cross-traffic alert as an optional feature. In addition, EyeSight 4.0 is now available with a new feature that can help avoid rear-end collisions at speeds of less than 50 mph.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is standard on all Rav4 models in 2022 and is similar to Subaru's ADAS package.

The company's JTA system also comes with traffic sign recognition. BSW systems with rear cross-traffic warnings are optional on the LE and other trims.

Although the Toyota Rav4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, it only earned four stars in the IIHS' frontal-impact tests.

The Prime model of the Rav4 scored well in this category. The IIHS also noted that the vehicle performed well in small overlap and frontal-offset crashes.

Winner: Subaru Forester

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Infotainment and Technology

In addition to being equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, the Subaru Forester in 2022 also comes with various safety features.

The company's standard in-car entertainment system comes with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display. It also comes with Apple and Android Auto integration.

The Toyota Rav4 in 2022 comes with three different in-car entertainment systems. The base model comes with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Prime SE and higher models use 8-inch screens. All models come with Apple and Android Auto integration.

Winner: Toyota RAV4

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Comfort and Utility

The Subaru Forester in 2022 is an excellent choice for people looking for an easy vehicle to get in and out of. Its ride height makes it easy to see from the driver's seat.

The back seat of the Subaru Forester is spacious for a compact SUV, and it has plenty of room for rear-facing car seats and adults.

Some of the standard features on the Premium and Touring models include rear air-conditioning vents. However, the panoramic sunroof is not dark enough to block the sun's heat from coming in.

Although the Toyota Rav4 isn't as spacious as the Subaru, most consumers will still find its driver's seat comfortable. Its large controls and convenient storage areas also make it an ideal choice.

The Rav4's back seat is also more spacious than its previous models, which makes it an ideal choice for families with four adults.

Although the LE trim doesn't come with rear air-conditioning vents, other models do. Toyota's vegan-friendly SofTex materials are standard on all Rav4 models.

Although the maximum cargo space of the Rav4 is slightly lower than that of the Subaru, it still has a larger rear cargo area than the Forester.

The gas-powered versions of the Rav4 have a total cargo area of 37.6 cubic feet, while the hybrid models have a total of 69.8 cubic feet.

Winner: Both

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Engine

The Toyota Rav4 is packed with a 2.5l 4-cylinder engine which produces 203 horsepower, while the Subaru Forester has a four-cylinder gas engine which produces 182 hp.

Winner: Toyota Rav4

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Gas Mileage

The Toyota Rav4 does 27 MPG within a city and 35 MPG on the highway, while the Subaru Forester does a combined city and highway MPG of 29.

Winner: Toyota Rav4

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Repairs and Maintenance

The Toyota Rav4 costs approximately $429 yearly for maintenance and $632 for the Subaru Forester.

Winner: Rav4

Rav4 Vs. Forester Reliability: Final Verdict

The Rav4 and the Forester are equally matched. They both offer several exciting features, but the Rav4 comes out tops.