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Head-to-head

2025 Subaru Forester vs 2025 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 wins clearly, 96.5 to 81, on safety, fuel & range, performance.

D

2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Subaru Forester is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Forester Hybrid AW…

vs
C

2025 Toyota RAV4

The 2025 Toyota RAV4 is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas compact SUV with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RAV4 H…

Verdict · default weights

2025 Toyota RAV4

Clear win

The Toyota RAV4 wins clearly, 96.5 to 81, on safety, fuel & range, performance.

Safety2025 Toyota RAV4 leads by 29.4
Fuel & range2025 Toyota RAV4 leads by 10.8
Performance2025 Toyota RAV4 leads by 10.3
Category · weight2025 Subaru Foresteroverall 812025 Toyota RAV4overall 96.5
Pricew 4no datano data
Fuel & rangew 389.2100
Safetyw 461.190.5
Space & cargow 2100100
Performancew 289.7100
Tech & comfortw 3no datano data
Warrantyw 2no datano data
Overall8196.5

Subaru Forester: open park-outside / do-not-drive advisory (−25)

Subaru Forester: model-level data · Toyota RAV4: model-level data. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.

Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
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Specifications side by side

Trim-level specs appear here once the manufacturer's press kit is on file for both vehicles. EPA and NHTSA data are compared above.
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Safety record

NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAP

Subaru Forester

Safety Signal66 D
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls4 · 1 critical
Owner complaints90 · 11 crashes · 2 fires
Most complained aboutUnspecified (18), Forward Collision Avoidance (15), Visibility/Wiper (13)
Park-outside advisory — open NHTSA recall with a consumer advisory.

Top recalls

  • criticalFuel System, Gasoline26V106000 · 69,870 vehicles
  • highChild Seat25V419000 · 2,938 vehicles
  • highWheels25V033000 · 20,366 vehicles
  • minorEquipment26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles

Toyota RAV4

Safety Signal78 C
NHTSA overall★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls4
Owner complaints100 · 10 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained aboutUnspecified (26), Electrical System (15), Engine (13)

Top recalls

  • highSeats26V256000 · 4 vehicles
  • highElectrical System25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles
  • minorEquipment26V179000 · 8,230 vehicles
  • minorBack Over Prevention25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles

Ownership

EPA, manufacturer warranty
Subaru ForesterToyota RAV4
Price
Price range across trims
PowertrainsHEV, GASPHEV, HEV, GAS
EPA configuration comparedForester Hybrid AWDRAV4 Hybrid AWD
Combined mpg / MPGe3539
EPA annual fuel cost$1,800$1,600
EV range
Basic warranty
Powertrain warranty
Roadside assistance

Common questions

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Which is better, the 2025 Subaru Forester or the 2025 Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 wins clearly, 96.5 to 81, on safety, fuel & range, performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Toyota RAV4 scores 96.5 and the 2025 Subaru Forester 81. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.

Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Subaru Forester or the 2025 Toyota RAV4?

2025 Subaru Forester: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 4 recalls. 2025 Toyota RAV4: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 4 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.