2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2019 Subaru Forester

In 2019, the Subaru Forester arrived slightly larger and wider than its predecessor, taking design cues from the new and larger Subaru Ascent. The vehicle maintained a scaled-down sibling resemblance to the Ascent, particularly noticeable in the exterior design, which felt rugged yet slightly compact compared to the Ascent’s three-row configuration. The interior of the Forester leaned heavily towards functionality rather than sheer aesthetic appeal. The design within the cabin aimed to marry utility with subtle luxury, making sure practical elements were not compromised for the sake of style.

The trims for the Forester included Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Touring. Across these trims, standard features consisted of LED headlights, symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD), and the EyeSight driver-assistance suite. The Base trim came well-equipped with features like 60/40 split-fold rear seats, dual front USB ports, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen, which made it a solid entry-level option. Moving up to Premium added features such as a panoramic moonroof, roof spoiler, raised roof rails, 17-inch alloy wheels, and upgraded interior trim, including leather-wrapped steering components and reclining rear seatbacks.

The Sport trim brought unique orange and black styling accents, along with 18-inch alloy wheels, larger front disc brakes, LED fog lights, and a windshield wiper de-icer. The interior included sporty elements like push-button start, heated front seats, and dual USB ports for the second row. The Limited trim featured higher-end elements like leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The top-tier Touring trim included LED fog lights, satin chrome side mirrors, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, and one-touch quick-release folding rear seats.

Conversely, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid underwent a comprehensive redesign in 2019, adopting a much tougher and angular look reminiscent of the 4Runner. Its front fascia presented a tougher demeanor with stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille. Dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills enhanced its adventurous aesthetic, signaling its capability beyond just grocery runs.

The RAV4 Hybrid came in four trims: LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited. The higher trims, XSE and Limited, featured 18-inch wheels which provided a fuller look to the vehicle’s profile. LED headlights and taillights were standard across trims, with adaptive headlights available only on the top trim. Inside, the design showcased simplicity and functionality. Despite the lack of luxury materials like leather upholstery, the cabin, including the base fabric seats, maintained a high level of comfort and quality, with tasteful shiny trim bits enhancing the overall feel.

Under the hood of the 2019 Subaru Forester was a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176-pound feet of torque—a slight improvement over its predecessor. However, it missed the more robust turbocharged 2.0XT trim engine available in the 2018 model. The standard powertrain across all trims was the boxer engine, delivering power through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system. Despite the availability of SI-Drive, which allowed drivers to switch between Intelligent and Sport modes, the performance felt underwhelming, especially given the lacking torque.

For off-roading, the Forester featured an impressive X-Mode terrain-management system, available in a dual-mode configuration on higher trims. The 8.7 inches of ground clearance paired with X-Mode’s ability to adjust settings for varied driving conditions made it a capable off-road vehicle. Overall, while the Forester provided a smooth ride and balanced handling both on and off the road, its acceleration lagged behind.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, on the other hand, boasted 219 horsepower from its hybrid powertrain. It combined a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, creating a system that was particularly efficient and powerful, with an EPA-rated 40 miles per gallon combined fuel economy. The hybrid setup cleverly omitted a driveshaft, using electric motors to power the wheels, thus maintaining a relatively lightweight feel. This not only improved handling and efficiency, but also performance, making the hybrid model quicker to accelerate than the non-hybrid.

Additionally, the RAV4 Hybrid allowed towing up to 1,750 pounds with trailer sway control, and the overall driving experience was smooth, with seamless integration of the hybrid system providing ample power and regenerative braking enhancing efficiency.

The 2019 Subaru Forester’s marginally larger dimensions over its predecessor translated into practical benefits, including a 5-inch wider tailgate opening. The Forester in its base trim offered a class-leading 76.1 cubic feet of cargo space, with other trims providing 70.9 cubic feet. The larger wheelbase meant more backseat space, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance made it functional for varying terrains. The interior mirrored Subaru’s “Function First” philosophy, with an abundance of cubbies, compartments, and bottle holders. The tall greenhouse allowed for a commanding driving position, with ample legroom, headroom, and excellent rear visibility.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, known for its ergonomic design, featured a well-placed 7-inch standard touchscreen with hard buttons and knobs for essential functions, with an optional 8-inch screen. Climate controls were straightforward and easy to use. The cabin, though not as quiet as some might prefer, remained comfortable for long drives. Notably, the RAV4 Hybrid did not compromise on interior or cargo space due to its hybrid system, providing 98.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 37.6 cubic feet of trunk space. The rear seat offered impressive legroom, making it suitable for three adults.

The 2019 Subaru Forester’s Starlink infotainment system, available in 6.5-inch and 8-inch versions, offered high resolution and responsiveness, with seamless transitions between Starlink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The EyeSight suite included crucial features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist, with Lead Vehicle Alert being a standout feature, aiding distracted drivers at stoplights.

For 2020, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced Android Auto, joining Apple CarPlay, and providing seamless integration for smartphone users. The 7-inch standard touchscreen could be upgraded to an 8-inch version, and WiFi Connect was available with a trial period. Predictive Efficient Drive technology operated behind the scenes to maximize hybrid efficiency, and multiple drive modes—from Eco to Sport to Trail—allowed drivers to adapt to different road conditions and driving preferences.

The 2019 Subaru Forester included the EyeSight suite as standard, which covered forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive headlights. Additional safety came from a full range of airbags and a reversing camera, with Subaru’s renowned visibility adding to the driver’s situational awareness.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, featuring a comprehensive range of safety functions such as pre-collision with automatic emergency braking, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, and road sign assist. Blind spot monitoring and parking assist were optional. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star NHTSA rating, reflecting its robust safety performance, though the IIHS had not tested this model. Notably, the RAV4 Hybrid had two recalls for engine coolant issues and suspension, but these did not significantly affect its perception as a safe vehicle.