Compared: 2025 Subaru Forester vs. 2025 Toyota RAV4

Toyota's RAV4 faces tough competition from Subaru's redesigned compact crossover Forester, according to auto expert Thom Blackett.

Thom Blackett | 

Mar 4, 2026 | 5 min read

Subaru | Toyota

Among compact crossovers, the 2025 Toyota RAV4 reigns supreme, but the redesigned 2025 Subaru Forester shines with its many upgrades. They include a quieter interior, next-generation safety features, and an available hybrid powertrain. (The changes do not apply to the 2025 Forester Wilderness, a carryover from 2024 that is not included in this comparison.)

Still, though it was last redesigned for the 2019 model year, the RAV4 recently dethroned the Ford F-150 as America's best-selling vehicle. That alone is testament to its lasting appeal, but a proven reliability record, attainable pricing, and numerous powertrains help.

Subaru 

The Subaru Forester Offers More for Less

Subaru's 2025 Forester lineup offers nine trim levels, with prices ranging from about $32,000 to around $45,000, including standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and the destination charge. I test-drove and recommend the Forester Premium Hybrid. It's the most affordable hybrid variant at just over $38,000, yet features a standard panoramic moonroof and other desirable amenities.

Toyota sells 13 RAV4 configurations, from a gas-powered LE with front-wheel drive (FWD) starting at about $32,000 to a plug-in hybrid XSE AWD that costs just over $50,000, including destination. My pick is the moderately priced and nicely equipped RAV4 Hybrid XLE Limited at around $39,000, which promises impressive efficiency and appealing features without the PHEV's cost.

Subaru wears the value crown in this match-up, thanks partly to the base model's standard AWD, dual-zone automatic climate control, alloy wheels, and more. The RAV4 LE is FWD and rolls on steel wheels. Additionally, the Forester's standard carpeted floor mats are a costly upgrade on the Toyota. Conversely, the RAV4's standard traffic sign recognition system is absent from the Subaru.

Inside, the Forester provides up to 110.8 cubic-feet of passenger space and 74.4 cu-ft of maximum cargo room, compared with the RAV4's 98.9 and 69.8 cu-ft. Front head- and legroom measurements also favor the Subaru. Both SUVs offer available heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, and a heated steering wheel, depending on trim level.

Subaru | Toyota 

Strong Infotainment and Safety Tech for Both

The base Forester's Starlink infotainment system features dual 7.0-inch touchscreens, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a USB port. All other trim levels include an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a wireless smartphone charger. A premium audio system and a navigation system are also available. In an earlier review of the 2025 Forester, auto experts Liz Kim and Christian Wardlaw praised the system's features but disliked the larger screen's vertical orientation.

Toyota equips most RAV4 models with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, multiple USB ports, and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A larger touchscreen and an upgraded audio system are available. As noted in automotive expert Austin Lott's evaluation of the 2025 RAV4, smartphone pairing is easy and the optional sound system offers excellent sound quality. Unfortunately, Toyota reserves a wireless smartphone charger for the top trim levels, and navigation requires a subscription to a connected-services plan. 

Subaru equips every Forester with the latest version of EyeSight, a package of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). A highlight is the automaker's Emergency Stop Assist, which can help bring the Forester to a safe stop when the adaptive cruise control is active and the driver becomes unresponsive. Toyota can't match that feature.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 isn't totally devoid of appealing tech, but it doesn't include anything unusual for the compact SUV segment. As with the Forester, obtaining blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert on the RAV4 requires paying extra for an option package or an upgrade to a higher trim level. However, front and rear parking assist with automatic braking is available on the Toyota but not the Subaru.

Toyota 

RAV4 Blends Power and Efficiency

Subaru equips the 2025 Forester with a four-cylinder engine making 180 horsepower or a 194-hp hybrid powertrain, both mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a standard AWD system. Towing capacity peaks at 1,500 pounds. Unlike the Forester, which offers widely available hill-descent control, the RAV4 only gets that feature in its top trims.

All RAV4s come with one of three engines. Gas models feature a 203-hp four-cylinder, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and FWD or AWD. Hybrids generate 219 horsepower and feature a CVT and AWD. The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid employs a larger battery and bigger electric motor to generate 302 horsepower and tow up to 2,500 pounds.

Regarding fuel economy, the RAV4's EPA estimates range from 28 mpg to 39 mpg in combined city and highway driving, while the 2025 Forester should return between 28 mpg and 35 mpg. In both SUVs, the hybrid powertrains are the most efficient. Lott in his RAV4 review averaged 39.3 mpg in the RAV4 Hybrid. I've recorded 38 mpg in a Forester Hybrid.

Without question, the RAV4 gets the nod for power and efficiency, but the Forester Hybrid delivers respectable fuel economy and plenty of power for stress-free daily driving.

Toyota

Both Brands Are Reliable, but Toyota Offers a Better Warranty

Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first and Toyota third in reliability, but the RAV4 has a better warranty. Toyota protects owners with a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Also, Toyota includes two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance and a 10-year or 150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty.

The 2025 Forester matches the RAV4's basic and powertrain warranty coverage but offers a less generous eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty for hybrid components.

Overall, minor differences separate the Forester and RAV4, except for Subaru's shorter hybrid battery warranty.

Subaru 

Key Takeaways From Comparing the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4

Choosing between these two SUVs isn't easy. With the 2025 Subaru Forester, you get standard AWD, extra interior space, and more value. Plus, Subaru is rated higher for reliability. However, the RAV4 offers more power, greater efficiency, and a plug-in hybrid option. 

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication) and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Thom Blackett

Thom is a lifelong car nut, from the early days using his grandmother's pot holders as steering wheels to "drive" around the house to his collection of old Datsun brochures. He's owned vehicles ranging from an oddball Ford Escort EXP to a Hemi-powered Ram 2500 plow truck and, currently, a 2022 Subaru WRX and 2002 Ford Ranger. Over the past 20 years, Thom has served as a senior toad test editor for Autobytel.com and contributed to Cars.com, CarGurus.com, Kelley Blue Book, The Boston Globe, and others. He currently splits his time between analyzing automotive data and writing about anything car related, though he has a soft spot for the mainstream models of interest to most shoppers. Thom lives in Maine with his two dogs, all of whom make a 250-mile trip north to his camp as often as possible.