2020 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

2020 Subaru Forester

2021 Toyota RAV4

#5 in Hybrid SUVs

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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

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Adventure AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
RAV4 Adventure AWD	25	33	$31,094	$33,255
RAV4 Hybrid LE AWD	41	38	$26,791	$28,500
RAV4 Hybrid Limited AWD	41	38	$34,950	$37,180
RAV4 Hybrid XLE AWD	41	38	$28,008	$29,795
RAV4 Hybrid XLE Premium AWD	41	38	$30,692	$32,650
RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD	41	38	$32,525	$34,600
RAV4 LE AWD	27	34	$25,760	$27,550
RAV4 LE FWD	27	35	$24,451	$26,150
RAV4 Limited AWD	25	33	$33,735	$36,080
RAV4 Limited FWD	27	35	$32,426	$34,680
RAV4 TRD Off Road AWD	25	32	$33,549	$35,880
RAV4 XLE AWD	27	33	$26,970	$28,845
RAV4 XLE FWD	28	35	$25,661	$27,445
RAV4 XLE Premium AWD	27	33	$29,500	$31,550
RAV4 XLE Premium FWD	28	35	$28,191	$30,150
RAV4 Prime SE	N/A	N/A	$35,815	$38,100
RAV4 Prime XSE	N/A	N/A	$38,939	$41,425

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$23,099

$31,094

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$24,495

$33,255

Monthly Payment Estimate

$408 / month

$554 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.8

Read Our Full Review

6.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2020 Subaru Forester is an incredible value among compact crossovers and a former Best Car To Buy winner.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is the meat-and-potatoes crossover for many buyers; the RAV4 Prime supplies the all-electric range.

TCC Likes

Remarkable capability
Remarkable value
Remarkable space

Performance plug-in hybrid
Great exterior looks
Wide customization possibilities

TCC Dislikes

Looks haven’t changed much
Not especially powerful
It’s not free...

Interior is compromised
Prime priced prime near $40,000
Buzzy base inline-4

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

25 mpg

Highway

33 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small SUV 4WD

Interior Dimensions

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

Second Hip Room (in)

53.6

47.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.2

57.8

Second Head Room (in)

39.6

39.5

Second Shoulder Room (in)

57.2

56.4

Front Leg Room (in)

43.3

Exterior Dimensions

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

Height, Overall (in)

67.5

68.6

Cargo Area Dimensions

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)

70.3

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

31.1

37.6

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

51.2

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

34.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

74.3

69.8

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

35.7

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.2

11.1

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.6

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

16.6

14.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.4

37.4

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P225/60HR17

P235/55HR19

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P225/60HR17

P235/55HR19

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

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

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

150

350

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3449

3655

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

19 X 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

19 X 7.5

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

176 @ 4400

184 @ 5000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

182 @ 5800

203 @ 6600

Engine Type

Regular Unleaded H-4

Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Port/Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.70

3.18

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.69

4.01

Trans Order Code

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.56

0.81

Trans Description Cont.

CVT w/OD

Automatic w/OD

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.60 - 0.75

5.25

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

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Summary

Vehicle Name

Subaru Forester

Toyota RAV4

Body Style

Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.1

6.3

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

2020 Subaru Forester

2021 Forester widely available
No factory rebate, but dealer discounting possible
Lease from $239 for 36 months
1.9% APR for 48 months continues

2021 Toyota RAV4

2021 RAV4 is here
Lease: From $289/mo.
Finance: From 1.9% APR
Rebate: Up to $1,000 cash

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