Subaru Forester VS
The Competition
See How the Subaru Forester Compares With the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V
A compact SUV can look like a simple choice until you start comparing drivetrain availability, interior room, towing ability, fuel-saving technology and the features that come with each trim. The Subaru Forester takes a different approach by making Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard throughout the lineup while also offering a hybrid model and the adventure-oriented Forester Wilderness.
View Forester InventorySubaru Forester vs. Toyota RAV4 & Honda CR-V
The Forester, RAV4 and CR-V occupy the same popular compact SUV category, but they aren't built around exactly the same priorities.
Before choosing one, consider questions such as:
- Does AWD come standard or require selecting a particular configuration?
- Which SUV gives drivers more flexibility between efficiency and capability?
- How much clearance is available when pavement ends?
- Which model can tow more?
- Which compact SUV gives passengers and cargo room without moving into a larger vehicle?
For drivers around Cortlandt Manor, Yorktown Heights and the surrounding Westchester County communities, those differences can have practical consequences. Winter weather, hills, changing road conditions and weekend travel can make traction and ground clearance more meaningful than a specification sheet might initially suggest.
The Forester approaches the segment with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology and multiple ways to configure the vehicle around your lifestyle, from the efficiency-focused Forester Hybrid to the more rugged Forester Wilderness.
Starting MSRP Comparison [1]
Subaru Forester Base:
$29,995
Toyota RAV4 LE:
Honda CR-V LX:
$31,900
$30,920
Top Trim MSRP
Subaru Forester Touring:
$39,995
Toyota RAV4 Limited:
Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid:
$43,300
$42,550
Why it matters: Comparing the entry price alone doesn't tell the entire story. The Forester also includes standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, meaning shoppers don't have to move into a higher trim or add an AWD option simply to get Subaru's full-time AWD system.
That can be an important distinction for buyers who want one vehicle capable of handling commuting, family transportation and four-season driving without building the vehicle around optional drivetrain equipment. all-wheel-drive capability.
A Compact SUV Designed for More Than One Kind of Driver
There isn't one reason people choose a Forester. Some buyers prioritize efficiency, others want additional clearance and towing ability, while many simply want a practical SUV that feels prepared for changing conditions.
That's where the Forester lineup offers some useful separation from its competitors. The conventional Forester provides everyday versatility, the Forester Hybrid combines electrified power with standard AWD, and the Wilderness adds equipment aimed at drivers who spend more time on trails, dirt roads or other challenging surfaces.
Hybrid All‑Wheel Drive
Subaru Forester Hybrid:
Standard AWD
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid:
Honda CR-V Hybrid:
AWD Standard Across Hybrid Models
AWD Available
Consumer Reports Recognition
Subaru Forester:
Top Compact SUV, 13 Years Running
Projected Resale Value
Subaru Forester:
#1, Compact SUVs – J.D. Power
Subaru reports that 96% of Foresters sold during the past 10 years are still on the road. That statistic gives shoppers another way to look at the model when considering ownership beyond the initial purchase.
Capability That Doesn't Require a Special Configuration
For an SUV used around Westchester County, capability doesn't necessarily mean tackling extreme trails. It can mean getting through a snowy morning, climbing a steep driveway, carrying outdoor equipment or heading north for a weekend without having to worry about whether your particular configuration has enough traction or clearance.
Standard All‑Wheel Drive
Subaru Forester:
Standard, Every Trim
Toyota RAV4:
Honda CR-V:
Available AWD Configurations
AWD Available, Not Standard
Ground Clearance
Forester Wilderness:
9.3 Inches
Forester:
Toyota RAV4:
8.7 Inches
Up to 8.6 Inches
Max Towing Capacity
Forester Wilderness:
3,500 lbs.
Toyota RAV4:
Honda CR-V:
1,500 lbs.
1,500 lbs.
Interior Space & Everyday Usability
A compact SUV has to work when the rear seats are occupied, the cargo area is full and everyone has somewhere to go. The Forester's cabin emphasizes usable space rather than simply minimizing the vehicle's exterior footprint.
Total Interior Volume [2]
Subaru Forester:
Up to 110.8 cu. ft.
Toyota RAV4:
Honda CR-V:
Less Than Forester
Less Than Forester
Why it matters: More interior volume can make a noticeable difference when the Forester becomes the family's primary vehicle. There is room for passengers during the week and flexibility for luggage, sports equipment, shopping and recreational gear when it's time to leave Cortlandt Manor for the weekend.
Advanced Safety: Confidence Comes Standard
Standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology
Forester shoppers don't have to start with a higher trim to get EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. The system is standard throughout the lineup and brings together technologies designed to assist with common driving situations, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance and forward collision avoidance.
All-Around Awareness
Additional driver-assistance features are available depending on Forester trim. These can include Blind-Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Reverse Automatic Braking, giving drivers additional information when changing lanes, backing up or navigating crowded parking areas.
360-Degree Surround-View Monitor
A Surround View Monitor is available on higher Forester trims. By providing an overhead view around the SUV, the system can make it easier to judge the vehicle's position when parking or maneuvering through tighter spaces.
For drivers navigating busy shopping centers, garages and crowded lots throughout Westchester, that extra visibility can be useful well beyond the trailhead.
Forester vs. RAV4 vs. CR-V: Common Questions
Q: What makes the Subaru Forester different from the RAV4 and CR-V?
A: One of the Forester's biggest distinctions is its standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. AWD is included across the Forester lineup rather than being limited to selected configurations.
Q: Does every Forester have all-wheel drive?
A: Yes. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard throughout the Forester lineup, including the Forester Hybrid and Forester Wilderness.
Q: Which Forester offers the greatest ground clearance?
A: The Forester Wilderness provides 9.3 inches of ground clearance. Other Forester configurations offer up to 8.7 inches, giving the lineup useful clearance for rough roads and uneven surfaces.
Q: Can a Forester tow more than a RAV4 or CR-V?
A: Yes. The Forester Wilderness has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, compared with 1,500 pounds for the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V figures listed in this comparison.
Q: Is there a hybrid Subaru Forester?
A: Yes. The Forester Hybrid combines hybrid power with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Subaru also lists a range of up to 581 miles on a single tank.
Q: How much room is available inside the Forester?
A: The Forester offers up to 110.8 cubic feet of interior volume. Subaru's published comparison places its interior volume ahead of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V using each manufacturer's measurement methodology.
Test Drive the Subaru Forester
If you're researching:
- Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4
- Subaru Forester vs Honda CR-V
- Compact SUVs for Westchester County
- SUVs with standard all-wheel drive
- Hybrid SUVs with AWD
- Subaru Forester Wilderness towing and clearance
- Compact SUVs for Cortlandt Manor and the Hudson Valley
Visit Curry Subaru Cortlandt Manor
[1] MSRP does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title, and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features, and models are subject to change without notice. Starting and Top Trim MSRP reflect published non-plug-in trims at time of publication. Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V pricing and specifications are set by their respective manufacturers and are subject to change without notice. See your retailer for more information.
[2] Per Subaru of America's published comparison, Forester interior passenger and cargo volume exceeds that of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Manufacturer-published interior volume figures use each brand's own measurement methodology.