Head-to-head
2025 Subaru Forester vs 2025 Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 wins clearly, 95.3 to 86.7, on safety, tech & comfort, performance. The Subaru Forester is ahead on fuel & range.
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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…
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B2025 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 winThe Toyota RAV4 wins clearly, 95.3 to 86.7, on safety, tech & comfort, performance. The Subaru Forester is ahead on fuel & range.
Safety 2025 Toyota RAV4 leads by 27
Fuel & range 2025 Subaru Forester leads by 15.2
Tech & comfort 2025 Toyota RAV4 leads by 13.3
| Category · weight | 2025 Subaru Foresteroverall 86.7 | 2025 Toyota RAV4overall 95.3 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 96.2 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 84.8 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 64.1 | 91.1 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 89.5 | 98.5 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 89.8 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 86.7 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 86.7 | 95.3 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Subaru Forester: open park-outside / do-not-drive advisory (−25)
Subaru Forester: base trim Base AWD · Toyota RAV4: base trim LE FWD. 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.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2025 Toyota RAV4 wins
- It holds 37.5 cu ft behind the second row against 29.6.
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 81 against 71).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (15 points against 13 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
Where the 2025 Subaru Forester answers
- It costs $350 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,900 against $2,250).
- It is rated 35 combined against 30 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
51 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $29,995 | $28,850 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,498 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | DOHC 4-cyl. horizontally opposed (BOXER) 2.5-liter | 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder, aluminum alloy block with aluminum alloy cylinder head |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | D-4S |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 203 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 26 mpg | 27 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 29 mpg | 30 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 33 mpg | 35 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.700 | 3.177 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 8 |
| Transmission type | cvt | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 8.4 in |
| Overall height | 68.1 in | 67 in |
| Overall length | 183 in | 181 in |
| Overall width | 72 in | 73 in |
| Wheelbase | 105 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 74.4 cu-ft | 69.8 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 29.6 cu-ft | 37.5 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 111 cu-ft | 98.9 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 41.2 in | 37.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 39.6 in | 39.5 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 43.3 in | 41 in |
| Second-row legroom | 39.4 in | 37.8 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,510 lbs | 3,370 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,510 lbs | 3,370 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,610 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson-type struts, lower L-arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | Double wishbone, coil springs, stabilizer bar | Multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Assisted rack-and-pinion (dual-pinion) | Electric Power Steering (EPS); electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 35.4 ft | 36.1 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 315 mm | 305 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | electronic | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 300 mm | 282 mm |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | steel |
| Wheel width | 7 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/60R17 99H | 225/65R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 16.6 gal | 14.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | SUBARU STARLINK | Toyota Safety Connect / Remote Connect / Service Connect / Wi-Fi Connect |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | 36 months | 12 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 6 months | 120 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 57.7 in | 57.8 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 56.7 in | 56.4 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
68 features · differences first, then sharedSafety10 differ · 22 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Bi-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights with LED accent lights, Automatic High Beams (AHB) and auto on/off | std | — |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | — | opt |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Hold | — | std |
| Electronic Parking Brake | std | — |
| EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, Pre-Collision Braking, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, Lead Vehicle Start Alert, Lane Departure Prevention | std | — |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats | — | std |
| Rear Seat Reminder | std | — |
| Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor | std | — |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5) — Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA) | — | std |
| Backup camera with dynamic gridlines | std | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Trailer-Sway Control (TSC) | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Star Safety System™ — includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST) | std | std |
| Star Safety System™ — includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST) | std | std |
| Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert. | std | std |
Infotainment7 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Connect — includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Apple Music® and Amazon Music™) compatibility. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with silver accent and red-stitching, and controls for audio, Multi-Information Display (MID), Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice-command, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Lane Trace Assist (LTA) | — | std |
| 8-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia, six speakers, with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatible, SiriusXM® with 3-month trial subscription | — | std |
| Remote Connect — remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch. Allows you to lock/unlock doors, start and stop the vehicle, locate your last parked location, check vehicle status and monitor guest drivers. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance Button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and Stolen Vehicle Locator. Subscription required. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. Subscription required after trial. 4G network dependent. | — | std |
| SUBARU STARLINK dual 7-inch Multimedia with 4-speaker audio system; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wired connectivity | std | — |
| Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with silver accent and red-stitching, and controls for audio, Multi-Information Display (MID), Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice-command, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Lane Trace Assist (LTA) | std | std |
Convenience2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power windows with auto up/down and jam protection in all positions | — | std |
| Power windows with driver's one-touch auto-up/auto-down with pinch protection (Base) | std | — |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Climate control system with dust and pollen filter and rear-seat vents | — | std |
| Dual-zone automatic climate control system with voice control and air filtration system | std | — |
Seating2 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric-trimmed seats with sporty red stitching and embossed seat inserts; heated front seats; 8-way power-adjustable front driver's seat with lumbar support; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pocket | std | — |
| 60/40 split reclining fold-flat rear seat with center armrest and cup holders | — | std |
| 60/40 split reclining fold-flat rear seat with center armrest and cup holders | std | std |
| Fabric-trimmed seats; 6-way adjustable front driver's seat; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat with seatback pocket | std | std |
Interior7 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Sun visors with sliding extensions and illuminated vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Tilt and telescoping steering column | std | — |
| Cargo area LED light with off-delay | std | — |
| Carpeted floor mats | std | — |
| Overhead console with dual LED map lights with off-delay; shower light and sunglasses holder | std | — |
| Overhead console with maplights, sunglasses storage, and Safety Connect® button | std | — |
| Black carpet flooring with driver-side footrest | — | std |
| Day/night rearview mirror | std | std |
Exterior12 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Bi-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights with LED accent lights, Automatic High Beams (AHB) and auto on/off | — | std |
| 17-inch alloy wheels, dark metallic with machine finish; 225/60 R17 all-season tires | std | — |
| Color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators, and folding feature | — | opt |
| Dual chrome-tipped exhaust | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) accent lighting | — | std |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Rear window wiper with washer | std | — |
| Roof rails: raised ladder type with tie-down points | std | — |
| Sound insulation windshield | std | — |
| Privacy glass on all rear side, quarter and liftgate windows | — | std |
| Rear liftgate window defogger | — | std |
| Spare Tire/Wheel - Temporary | — | std |
| Color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning indicators, and folding feature | std | std |
Powertrain7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | std | — |
| Front-Wheel Drive | — | std |
| Active Grille Shutters in front bumper | std | — |
| Active Torque Vectoring standard on all models | std | — |
| Auto Stop/Start fuel efficiency improvement technology | std | — |
| Dual-pinion Electric Power-Assisted Steering | std | — |
| SI-DRIVE Engine Performance Management with Intelligent and Sport modes | std | — |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo area tonneau cover | — | opt |
| Height-adjustable rear cargo area deck board | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPSubaru Forester
Safety Signal 71 C
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 4 · 1 critical · 1 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 100 · 13 crashes · 2 fires
Most complained about Visibility/Wiper (20), Forward Collision Avoidance (20), Unspecified (19)
Park-outside advisory — open NHTSA recall with a consumer advisory.
Top recalls
- critical Fuel System, Gasoline 26V106000 · 69,870 vehicles
- high Child Seat 25V419000 · 2,938 vehicles
- high Wheels 25V033000 · 20,366 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles · filed unfixed
Toyota RAV4
Safety Signal 81 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 4
Owner complaints 109 · 13 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (30), Electrical System (17), Visibility/Wiper (16)
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V256000 · 4 vehicles
- moderate Back Over Prevention 25V744000 · 1,024,407 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 25V595000 · 591,377 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V179000 · 8,230 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Subaru ForesterBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29,995 (base trim) | $28,850 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $29,995 – $43,295 9 trims | $28,850 – $47,735 19 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | PHEV, HEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Forester Hybrid AWD | RAV4 |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 35 | 30 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,900 | $2,250 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2025 Subaru Forester or the 2025 Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 wins clearly, 95.3 to 86.7, on safety, tech & comfort, performance. The Subaru Forester is ahead on fuel & range. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2025 Toyota RAV4 scores 95.3 and the 2025 Subaru Forester 86.7. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2025 Subaru Forester or the 2025 Toyota RAV4?
The 2025 Toyota RAV4 starts lower — $28,850 against $29,995, a gap of $1,145 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2025 Subaru Forester or the 2025 Toyota RAV4?
2025 Subaru Forester: 5 NHTSA stars, grade C, 4 recalls (1 filed with no repair available). 2025 Toyota RAV4: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 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.
What are the biggest differences between the 2025 Subaru Forester and the 2025 Toyota RAV4?
Where the 2025 Toyota RAV4 wins: it holds 37.5 cu ft behind the second row against 29.6, has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 81 against 71), and lists more comfort and tech equipment (15 points against 13 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). Where the 2025 Subaru Forester answers: it costs $350 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,900 against $2,250) and is rated 35 combined against 30 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars and 5 seats.