2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was designed with a rugged exterior that mimicked the traditional SUV style, featuring boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This aggressive look set it apart from previous RAV4 generations and most compact crossovers, enhancing its appeal as more than just an ordinary vehicle. Despite its bold styling, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models like the Camry, which meant its mechanical underpinnings were more conventional.

Toyota offered options to enhance the RAV4's appearance, such as the Trail model with a retro Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, and the TRD Off-Road package with matte black alloy wheels and red interior accents. Inside, the RAV4 featured rugged styling touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles, distinguishing its cabin from other Toyota models. While material quality was decent on lower trims, it didn't improve significantly with higher trims. The TRD Off-Road model had SofTex upholstery, which was lighter than leather but real leather wasn't available, even on the top Limited trim.

The 2022 Subaru Forester, particularly in its Wilderness trim, emphasized practicality and utility over flashy styling. The Wilderness model featured a suspension lift, higher ride height, and protective cladding, giving it a rugged appearance. Inside, the Forester focused on function, with a cabin that combined hard plastic and soft surfaces, exuding quality construction. The interior was equipped with an 8-inch Starlink infotainment system, physical knobs, and buttons for easy access to controls, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal.

The Forester Wilderness retained its model's 8-inch Starlink infotainment system, which was intuitive and easy to use. The SUV's driving dynamics were pleasing, though it lacked outright acceleration. The 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and AWD drivetrain. The Wilderness model featured a design that increased initial torque supply by 25%, doubling its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester excelled in various environments, from city streets to off-road trails, thanks to its long-travel suspension and all-terrain tires.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically found in racing engines, and was known for its impressive output and high-revving nature. However, the transmission struggled to keep up, resulting in a less dynamic driving experience. The RAV4's steering was responsive but lacked feel, and the "Sport" driving mode only added weight to the steering without enhancing performance.

The RAV4's off-road capabilities were highlighted in the Trail and TRD Off-Road models, which featured torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, 21.7 centimetres of ground clearance, and a 3,500-pound towing capacity. Despite these features, the RAV4's suspension articulation and approach, departure, and breakover angles were limited for serious off-roading. On the highway, the RAV4 offered a quieter cabin and a comfortable ride, but its overall driving dynamics were more suited for everyday use than spirited driving.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a CVT and AWD drivetrain, with the Wilderness model featuring a design that increased initial torque supply by 25%. This allowed the Wilderness to double its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The Forester's engine emitted a characteristic boxer-style grumble, though it felt sluggish at higher altitudes. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios, providing a smooth driving experience, and the SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for more lively response.

Subaru's dual-function X-Mode system was standard on most Forester models, offering various settings for different surfaces and improved hill descent control. The Wilderness model featured a re-tuned suspension with longer springs and shocks, increasing ground clearance to 22.9 centimetres and improving approach, breakover, and departure angles. The Forester excelled in various driving conditions, from city streets to off-road trails, thanks to its long-travel suspension and all-terrain tires.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a tall, upright roof, providing ample headroom and good outward visibility. However, legroom in both rows was slightly behind competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. The RAV4 featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, but it didn't slide like those in the Ford Escape or Nissan Rogue. Cargo space was above average, with 1,059 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,977 litres with them folded, though still behind the Honda CR-V. The RAV4's interior included oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls, but storage space was limited.

The 2022 Subaru Forester emphasized functionality, with easy entry and exit due to tall seating hip points. The Wilderness model featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. The Forester's interior offered high comfort levels, with excellent visibility and rear air conditioning vents. Storage space was decent, with bins and bottle holders in the armrests and door panels. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the panoramic sunroof and 762 litres with it, with a total of 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The Forester's cargo area was usefully shaped, and the Wilderness model included a full-size spare tire.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with most trims offering a 7-inch touchscreen. Trail and Limited models had an 8-inch screen, while the RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not particularly flashy, with shortcut buttons for navigation, Bluetooth, and audio. The RAV4 also offered up to five USB ports, a JBL premium audio system, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the gasoline RAV4 lacked a head-up display, which was available on the RAV4 Prime.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, with available navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. The Wilderness model included a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The infotainment system was intuitive, though a breadcrumb function for navigation would have been useful. The voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, but the Harman Kardon audio system delivered clear, rich sound.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it missed the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side crash tests. The RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. A 360-degree camera system was also available.

The 2022 Subaru Forester introduced the EyeSight 4.0 safety system, offering improved accuracy and smoother operation. It included features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. The Forester also offered a rear-seat reminder system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear automatic braking. Limited and Premier trims featured DriverFocus, a facial recognition technology for monitoring drowsiness and distraction. The NHTSA awarded the Forester a five-star overall crash-test rating, with a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2022 Forester, but it was expected to retain the 2021 model's "Top Safety Pick+" rating.