Among hyper-competitive compact crossovers, the Subaru Forester keeps pace thanks to its value and standard all-wheel drive.
The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are must-drives in the class—they’re stalwarts for good reason.
The RAV4 looks better this year and is intuitive.
The Honda CR-V is spacious and easygoing too, a hybrid model is on the way.
The Ford Escape is new for 2020 and the Sport Hybrid is what we’d recommend, but it’s also very car-like.
The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, but its price is creeping up ever-higher.
The Chevy Equinox is a popular model, but now lacks a standout feature.
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 2021 Subaru Forester#3 in Mid-Size SUVs |  2021 Chevrolet Equinox |  2021 Honda CR-V#8 in Mid-Size SUVs |  2021 Toyota RAV4#5 in Hybrid SUVs Get Your Price |  2020 Ford EscapeGet Your Price |  2020 Mazda CX-5#5 in Mid-Size SUVs Get Your Price |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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A recent Best Car To Buy winner, the 2021 Subaru Forester notches big wins in utility and safety as one of our most recommended crossover SUVs. | The 2021 Chevy Equinox draws closer to the Blazer in looks and mission. |
The 2021 Honda CR-V wins hundreds of thousands of wallets each year and it’s no surprise: it’s spacious, comfortable, efficient, and quiet. |
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is the meat-and-potatoes crossover for many buyers; the RAV4 Prime supplies the all-electric range. |
The 2020 Ford Escape takes a more refined tack, and brings its hybrid edition back into vogue. |
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 trades family-ready space for fine handling and good power. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $24,795 | $23,800 | N/A | $26,050 | $24,885 | $25,190 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 26 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded H-4 | Turbocharged Gas I4 | N/A | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-3 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Small Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | N/A | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD |
| Style Name | |||||
| CVT | FWD 4-Door L | N/A | LE FWD (Natl) | S FWD | Sport FWD |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| All Wheel | Front Wheel Drive | N/A | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | N/A | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sport Utility | Sport Utility Vehicle | N/A | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
| Transmission | |||||
| CVT w/OD | Automatic | N/A | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2021 Subaru Forester vs. 2021 Chevrolet Equinox | 2021 Subaru Forester vs. 2021 Honda CR-V | 2021 Subaru Forester vs. 2021 Toyota RAV4 | 2021 Subaru Forester vs. 2020 Ford Escape | 2021 Subaru Forester vs. 2020 Mazda CX-5 | |
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