Compare 2020 Subaru Forester vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

2020 Subaru Forester
2020 Toyota RAV4
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CVT
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Forester CVT 26 33 $23,099 $24,495
Forester Limited CVT 26 33 $29,062 $31,095
Forester Premium CVT 26 33 $25,753 $27,395
Forester Sport CVT 26 33 $27,224 $28,995
Forester Touring CVT 26 33 $32,266 $34,595
Select style
Adventure AWD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
RAV4 Adventure AWD 25 33 $30,907 $33,055
RAV4 Hybrid LE AWD 41 38 $26,650 $28,350
RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD 41 38 $34,667 $36,880
RAV4 Hybrid XLE AWD 41 38 $27,866 $29,645
RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD 41 38 $32,244 $34,300
RAV4 LE AWD 27 34 $25,573 $27,350
RAV4 LE FWD 27 35 $24,264 $25,950
RAV4 Limited AWD 25 33 $33,548 $35,880
RAV4 Limited FWD 27 35 $32,239 $34,480
RAV4 TRD Off Road AWD 25 32 $32,988 $35,280
RAV4 XLE AWD 27 33 $26,783 $28,645
RAV4 XLE FWD 28 35 $25,474 $27,245
RAV4 XLE Premium AWD 27 33 $29,313 $31,350
RAV4 XLE Premium FWD 28 35 $28,004 $29,950

2020 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2020 Subaru Forester: Compare Crossover SUVs

Aaron Cole Aaron Cole Managing Editor

Competition among compact crossovers is fiercer now than it ever has been. 

That’s because more buyers seek the versatility, tall ride height, and (relatively) affordable price tag that only the small ‘utes can provide. There are smaller, cheaper alternatives to the 2020 Toyota RAV4 and 2020 Subaru Forester—but none with the same reputation for reliability and off-road capability. 

 
Pricing
Invoice Price
$23,099
$30,907
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$24,495
$33,055
Monthly Payment Estimate
$408 / month
$551 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
6.8
6.5
TCC’s Bottom Line
The 2020 Subaru Forester is an incredible value among compact crossovers and a former Best Car To Buy winner. The 2020 Toyota RAV4 covers more bases this year with smartphone compatibility and tough-looking off-road trims.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
26 mpg 25 mpg
Highway
33 mpg 33 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Small Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD Small Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD
Interior Dimensions
Second Shoulder Room (in)
57.2 56.4
Front Leg Room (in)
43.3 41
Passenger Volume (ft³)
111.9 98.9
Front Hip Room (in)
54.1 54.3
Second Leg Room (in)
39.4 37.8
Front Head Room (in)
41.2 39.5
Passenger Capacity
5 5
Second Hip Room (in)
53.6 47.7
Front Shoulder Room (in)
58.2 57.8
Second Head Room (in)
39.6 39.5
Exterior Dimensions
Height, Overall (in)
67.5 68.6
Track Width, Rear (in)
61.8 63.3
Wheelbase (in)
105.1 105.9
Liftover Height (in)
28.4 -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)
71.5 73.4
Track Width, Front (in)
61.6 62.6
Min Ground Clearance (in)
8.7 8.6
Length, Overall (in)
182.1 181.5
Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)
76.1 69.8
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)
35.7 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)
31.1 37.6
Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)
43.3 -
Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)
73.1 -
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)
31.1 37.6
Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)
51.2 -
Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)
34.8 -
Brakes
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.2 11.1
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
11.6 12
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
16.6 14.5
Steering
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
35.4 37.4
Tires
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Rear Tire Size
P225/60HR17 P235/55HR19
Rear Tire Order Code
NA NA
Front Tire Size
P225/60HR17 P235/55HR19
Spare Tire Size
Compact Compact
Front Tire Order Code
NA NA
Trailering
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
150 350
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
1500 3500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
1500 3500
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)
1500 3500
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
150 350
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
3449 3615
Wheels
Rear Wheel Size (in)
17 X 7 19 X 7.5
Front Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
17 X 7 19 X 7.5
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Steel Aluminum
Engine
Fuel System
Gasoline Direct Injection Port/Direct Injection
SAE Net Torque @ RPM
176 @ 4400 184 @ 5000
Engine Order Code
NA NA
Displacement
2.5 L/152 2.5 L/152
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM
182 @ 5800 203 @ 6600
Engine Type
Regular Unleaded H-4 Regular Unleaded I-4
Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
26 25
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
29 28
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
33 33
Transmission
First Gear Ratio (:1)
3.60 - 0.75 5.25
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.70 3.18
Trans Type
7 8
Drivetrain
All Wheel All Wheel
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
3.69 4.01
Trans Order Code
NA NA
Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)
0.56 0.81
Trans Description Cont.
CVT w/OD Automatic w/OD
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 1.00
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
- 1.95
Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 0.67
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 1.22
Second Gear Ratio (:1)
- 3.03
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)
- 1.46
Summary
Vehicle Name
Subaru Forester Toyota RAV4
Body Style
Sport Utility Sport Utility
Suspension
Suspension Type - Rear
Double Wishbone Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Double Wishbone Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Front
Strut Strut
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut Strut
Emissions
Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year
6.1 6.4
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)
- 550
Crash Test Ratings
Overall Rating
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger
Overall Side Crash Rating
Side Barrier Rating
Side Barrier Rating Driver
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Front Seat
Combined Side Rating Rear Seat
Rollover Rating
Next Steps: Get Free Price Quotes!
2020 Subaru Forester
  • 2020 Forester supplies holding up; 2021s coming soon
  • No factory rebate, but dealer discounting possible
  • Lease from $265 for 36 months
  • 0% APR for 63 months continues
Get Your Price
2020 Toyota RAV4
  • 2021 RAV4 is arriving
  • Lease: From $289/mo. (2020)
  • Finance: 0% APR (2020)
  • Rebate: $1,750 cash (2020)
Get Your Price

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