2023 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

Toyota introduced the RAV4 to North America in 1996 as a compact alternative to the larger SUVs dominating the market. Young buyers quickly embraced the RAV4, which led to a wave of similar car-based SUVs from other manufacturers. Over five generations, the RAV4 evolved in size and sophistication, becoming a sales leader and a mature crossover SUV. The 2022 RAV4, a continuation of the 2019 redesign, often topped the SUV sales charts in the United States. Its exterior design, while fitting in with current crossover trends, featured angular flourishes and crisp lines that contrasted with the organic shapes in the body-side bends. The expressive headlights and grille gave it a playful yet aggressive look, complemented by Toyota's high-quality fit-and-finish.

Inside, the 2022 RAV4 boasted a layered dash with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by a straightforward center stack. The touchscreen interface was positioned for minimal driver distraction. Distinctive design cues, such as a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern, tied various cabin areas together. The Adventure-trim test vehicle featured 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels, adding to its unique appeal.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, while not a beauty queen, prioritized function over form. Its design remained consistent with previous models, especially in the Cascade Green Silica paint. The Forester came in various trims, with the Touring trim being the best-looking due to its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. Robust roof rails allowed for carrying sporting equipment, and the interior featured Saddle Brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents. The traditional Subaru design included analog gauges, an 8-inch touchscreen, and an information display at the top of the dashboard. Despite the abundance of hard plastic, the cabin was easy to clean.

The Forester's appearance was busy, both inside and out, with a mix of gray and silver lower body cladding and a traditional button-and-knob control layout. This made the controls easy to locate and use, despite the back-to-basics nature of the design. The Forester's simplicity and substance made it a practical choice for those who valued function over style.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrains. The gasoline-only model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy for FWD models ranged from 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway/30 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 25-27 mpg city/32-34 mpg highway/28-30 mpg combined.

The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 217 combined net horsepower. It used an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT) and achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway/40 mpg combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, with a 2.5-liter engine and an 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack, produced 302 horsepower and offered 42 miles of electric-only range. It achieved 40 mpg city/36 mpg highway/38 mpg combined and 94 MPGe combined.

Our test vehicle, a gasoline Adventure AWD model, delivered smooth and immediate power with its naturally aspirated engine. The eight-speed transmission provided familiar sensations and quick kickdowns during acceleration. The RAV4's car-like handling, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and Multi-Terrain Select tuning, made it popular among a wide range of drivers.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT had eight programmed ratios and a Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) system with a Sport driving mode. Most Foresters, except the Base trim, had an X-Mode off-road traction management system with various driving modes.

We tested the Forester Touring during a series of storms in Southern California, traversing flooded roads, rain-blasted freeways, and muddy trails with ease. The Forester's excellent driving dynamics, including light and accurate steering, responsive brakes, and well-tuned suspension, provided a comfortable and communicative ride. However, the 2.5-liter engine remained merely adequate, and the Forester returned 25.9 mpg on our testing route, falling short of the EPA rating of 29 mpg combined.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, classified as a small SUV, offered 37.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. It had a healthy payload capacity of 1,050-1,230 pounds, depending on the configuration. Towing capacity varied, with Adventure and TRD Off-Road models rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds. The RAV4 Hybrid could tow up to 1,750 pounds, and the RAV4 Prime up to 2,500 pounds.

Inside, the RAV4 was roomy and comfortable for four, with plenty of legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headroom in the front row. The second-row split-folding bench seat could accommodate five passengers in a pinch. The cabin featured numerous cupholders, bottle holders, and storage compartments, making it practical for everyday use.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with a focus on simplicity and substance. The Premium trim offered a panoramic glass sunroof, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer system. Higher trims featured StarTex artificial leather or perforated genuine leather, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated outboard rear seats.

The Forester's outward visibility was excellent, thanks to tall glass, thin windshield pillars, and large side mirrors. Entry and exit were effortless, and the cabin offered plenty of legroom, headroom, and foot room. However, the back seats were less comfortable, with insufficient leg support and a reclined backrest angle.

Interior storage was plentiful, with numerous pockets and compartments. The cargo area, accessible via a power liftgate, offered 26.9 cubic feet of space behind the back seat (28.9 cubic feet in the Base trim) and 69.1 cubic feet with the back seat folded down (74.2 cubic feet in the Base trim).

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, six-speaker audio, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Wi-Fi Connect. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL audio system with navigation. The RAV4 Prime featured additional USB ports, auxiliary power outlets, blue ambient illumination, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a bird’s-eye view camera system, and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's Base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium trim added satellite radio, HD Radio, and Starlink connected services. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium audio system was available. However, a wireless smartphone charger was notably absent.

The Forester's older Subaru Starlink infotainment system, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use volume and tuning knobs, was simple and appealing. However, the voice-recognition system was nearly useless, often misinterpreting commands. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended for navigation and other functions.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota’s Star Safety System, including enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. It also featured LATCH child-seat anchors, child-guard locks, Safety Connect, and eight airbags. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, standard on all RAV4 models, included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road sign assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking assist. The RAV4 received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight collection of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, with updated software and cameras. Models with blind-spot monitoring added Automatic Emergency Steering. Wilderness and Touring trims included Rear Automatic Braking (RAB), though the system could be overly sensitive. The Touring trim also had a DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA.