Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Toyota RAV4
Overview
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Forester SUV | LE |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | hybrid |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $29,995 (best) | $31,900 |
| Lowest listing price | $13,997 | $13,865 (best) |
| Median listing price | $27,995 (best) | $32,790 |
| Highest listing price | $42,263 (best) | $49,120 |
| For sale now | 89 | 304 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 29 MPG | 44 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 26 MPG | 48 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 33 MPG | 42 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 16.6 gal (best) | 15 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 226 hp (best) |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft (best) | 172 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Cylinders | flat 4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 74.4 cu ft (best) | — |
| Towing capacity | — | 1,750 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,510 lbs (best) | 3,640 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in (best) | 8 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 106 in (best) |
| Length | 183.3 in (best) | 181 in |
| Width | 72 in | 73 in (best) |
| Height | 68.1 in (best) | 67 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Subaru ForesterForester SUV | Toyota RAV4LE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | — |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 3 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Subaru Forester | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forester SUV $29,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) | LE $31,900 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Premium $33,385 MSRP | LE AWD $33,300 MSRP |
| 3 | Premium Hybrid $34,730 MSRP | SE $34,700 MSRP |
| 4 | Sport $36,105 MSRP | SE AWD $36,100 MSRP |
| 5 | Limited $37,695 MSRP | XLE $36,100 MSRP |
| 6 | Sport Hybrid $37,930 MSRP | XLE AWD $37,500 MSRP |
| 7 | Wilderness $38,385 MSRP | Woodland $39,900 MSRP |
| 8 | Limited Hybrid $38,995 MSRP | XSE $41,300 MSRP |
| 9 | Touring Hybrid $41,545 MSRP | SE $41,500 MSRP |
| 10 | Touring $41,595 MSRP | Limited $43,300 MSRP |
| 11 | — | Woodland $45,300 MSRP |
| 12 | — | XSE $47,200 MSRP |
| 13 | — | GR Sport $48,500 MSRP |
Live inventory
Subaru Forester89 for sale
See all
Used2020 Subaru Forester
Premium
Crystal White Pearl•Black95,634 mi$17,995Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Used2019 Subaru Forester
Limited
Silver•black42,576 mi$21,000Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Certified2026 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Magnetite Gray Metallic•Gray2,648 mi$34,674Dulles Kia Leesburg
Leesburg, VA
Used2023 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
White•Gray16,392 mi$29,551Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Used2022 Subaru Forester
Limited
Blue•lighting37,321 mi$25,263Kia of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Used2024 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Magnetite Gray Metallic•gray40,325 mi$30,265Classic Nissan Newport News
Newport News, VA
Toyota RAV4304 for sale
See all
Used2024 Toyota RAV4
Hybrid XLE
Blueprint•Black38,976 mi$33,286Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2024 Toyota RAV4
XLE
Magnetic Gray Metallic•Ash54,745 mi$28,288Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2024 Toyota RAV4
XLE
Magnetic Gray Metallic•Black37,057 mi$28,490Phil Smith Mitsubishi of Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point, FL
Used2023 Toyota RAV4
XLE Premium
Gray36,013 mi$32,085Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Used2019 Toyota RAV4
XLE
White69,084 mi$23,500Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Used2018 Toyota RAV4
Hybrid LE
red•Ash Fabric77,639 mi$22,000Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4 FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Subaru Forester starts lower at $29,995. Live Subaru Forester listings start at $13,997. Live Toyota RAV4 listings start at $13,865.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (29,995).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- The 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (44).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- The 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads on horsepower in this comparison (324).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Subaru Forester or 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- The 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,500).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Toyota RAV4?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Subaru Forester (5/5 NHTSA overall).