2021 Subaru Forester vs 2020 Toyota RAV4

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 drew attention for its bold and angular redesign in 2019, a departure from its traditional cute 'ute appearance. Competing with the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V, this new look aimed to convey the RAV4's durability and toughness more effectively. Among its multiple trim levels, the Adventure trim had enhanced off-roading capabilities, featuring a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, multiple driving modes tailored to weather and terrain, and downhill assist control, making it a perfect choice for adventure seekers. The RAV4 Adventure boasted 8.6 inches of ground clearance, living up to its adventurous name.

New for 2020, the TRD Off-Road trim elevated these capabilities. It came with smaller and lighter matte-black 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires rated for severe snow duty, and a unique TRD suspension setup, ensuring a comfortable ride on diverse surfaces. Visually, the TRD Off-Road could be identified by its specific wheels, tires, and badges, but otherwise appeared similar to the Adventure trim. The test vehicle sported Toyota's captivating Lunar Rock gray paint with a white roof, which helped conceal dirt remarkably well.

Inside, the TRD Off-Road featured TRD logos on the front-seat head restraints and practical rubber floor mats and cargo mat, preparing the cabin for any dirty endeavors. The interior harmoniously combined quality construction, soft-touch materials, and rubberized surfaces, although some onlookers might find the plastic elements less appealing.

The 2020 RAV4 TRD Off-Road positioned itself near the top of the RAV4's gas-powered trim-level hierarchy, which began with the LE and FWD ($25,950) and extended to the Limited with AWD ($35,880). The lineup also included XLE, XLE Premium, and Adventure trims. Particularly enticing was the XLE trim with the top option package and floor mats, providing a balanced blend of equipment and value at an approximate cost of $31,750 with the standard gas engine and FWD, and just over $33,000 as a hybrid with AWD, including destination charges.

The test vehicle went up to an unusual $42,902, encompassing everything from the factory along with over $1,500 in dealer-installed accessories, reflecting the extensive customization available for the RAV4.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite a redesign in 2019, maintained a more classic styling, with the most significant update being its distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to adhere to the "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" principle, retaining its boxy, upright design that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim's 17-inch steel wheels looked plain, although 17-inch alloy wheels were available, but the Forester's unpretentious design had its charm.

The Forester Sport trim, our test model, featured orange striping along the body and roof rails, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its visual appeal, particularly in the complementary Dark Blue Pearl paint.

Riding on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with other Subaru models like the Impreza, Crosstrek, Legacy, and Outback, the Forester maintained its rugged perception, despite sharing underpinnings with sedans and hatchbacks. Inside, the Forester had a straightforward mix of materials focused more on durability than aesthetics. The Sport trim added interior orange accents, both in colored trim and cross-stitching.

Trim levels began with Base, Premium, and Sport, featuring cloth upholstery, while Limited and Touring trims offered leather. An All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

Under the hood, the 2020 Toyota RAV4 offered a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A separate RAV4 Hybrid model boasted up to 40 mpg in combined driving, 219 horsepower, and instant electric responsiveness, though it was unavailable in the TRD Off-Road trim. An upcoming 2021 RAV4 Prime promised even higher performance as a plug-in hybrid.

The test vehicle's non-turbo, non-hybrid powertrain yielded competitive numbers for its class, feeling particularly spirited in Sport mode. However, those familiar with the power-sapping effects of altitude, like residents of Denver, might prefer a turbocharged engine. The 8-speed automatic transmission typically performed well, though occasionally it hesitated in gear selection.

The TRD Off-Road's unique AWD system included a torque-vectoring feature and fuel-saving driveline disconnect technology. Drivers could choose from multiple terrain-specific modes such as Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt, in addition to Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes. Combined with a downhill assist control system and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the TRD Off-Road lived up to its name.

Fuel economy averaged 23.4 mpg during the test, falling short of the EPA's 27 mpg estimate for combined driving. Despite this, the TRD Off-Road excelled in urban settings, tackling challenges like speed humps with ease and providing a smooth ride thanks to its TRD suspension.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with optional manual mode and paddle shifters. Subaru's use of a boxer engine provided a lower center of gravity compared to inline-four engines, resulting in a unique driving dynamic. The Forester also quoted a 1,500-pound maximum towing capacity, accompanied by standard Trailer Stability Assist.

Where the Forester fell short was in its thrust when merging onto highways or overtaking, where a turbocharged engine would have been beneficial. Moreover, wind noise at highway speeds was notably high. The suspension tuning, designed more for comfort than handling, demonstrated lots of body roll in corners and bounciness on uneven pavement, detracting from overall ride comfort.

AWD came standard, reinforcing Subaru's identity, and the drivetrain was more sophisticated than most competitors due to a standard X-Mode which adjusted throttle response and other vehicle parameters for different surfaces. The Sport models featured Dual X-Mode with "Snow/Dirt" and "Snow/Mud" modes. Forester Premium and higher trims benefitted from hill-descent control, and all models offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance, providing better mud and dirt traction than most compact crossovers. However, for serious off-road adventures, models like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or Ford Bronco Sport were recommended.

Entering and exiting the 2020 Toyota RAV4 was user-friendly, with seating hip points nearly perfect. The driver's seat offered an 8-way adjustability, while the front passenger seat sat high off the floor, providing good thigh support despite lacking a height adjuster.

The TRD Off-Road trim featured Toyota's SofTex upholstery, known for trapping sweat on hot days. The recommended Weather Package added heated and ventilated front seats along with a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports.

Interior storage in the RAV4 was generous, highlighted by a useful dashboard shelf. Cargo space was ample, with 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.8 cubic feet when folded down. The test vehicle included a robust roof rack with crossbars and an optional hands-free power liftgate, extending the RAV4's utility.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered impressive headroom and legroom in both rows, attributed to its tall, flat roof. This design provided a spacious and airy feel, enhanced by ample glass surfaces, although it could cause the cabin to heat up quickly on sunny days.

Cargo capacity in the Forester was generous, at 35.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded down. While the Forester surpassed the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson in cargo space with the seats down, it fell short with the seats up compared to the sliding second-row bench functionality in the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue. A power liftgate was optional on the Forester Sport and standard on the Limited and Touring trims.

The Forester lacked an abundance of cupholders like its Ascent sibling but the ones available were practical and unobtrusive. Although the center console was adequately sized, the phone-storage cubby was small, and Subaru did not offer wireless charging. Upgrading to the Premium trim was necessary for a power-adjustable driver's seat.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 featured technology that was both useful and user-friendly. Depending on the trim, the infotainment system provided a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen, with the latter being standard on the TRD Off-Road. The screen dealt with glare issues, but the 8-inch system was otherwise user-friendly.

Standard technology included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple connected services packages with generous free trial periods. Additionally, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was offered free for three months or 2GB of data, after which it required a subscription.

Menu shortcut buttons, as well as stereo volume and tuning knobs, flanked the touchscreen, making the infotainment system easy to use. Climate controls were entirely separated from the display. Available upgrades comprised an embedded navigation system and a JBL premium sound system.

The TRD Off-Road's voice-recognition technology was notably impressive, accurately interpreting various commands and promptly offering route suggestions. The test vehicle also had the optional Technology Package, adding wireless smartphone charging, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a digital rear-view mirror showing a live video feed, offering adjustable camera height, angle, and zoom.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a standard Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Sport models included an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring trims added navigation and dual USB ports.

The infotainment system was easy to use, with intuitive graphics and backup analog controls, including physical shortcut buttons. However, the screen was slow to boot upon startup, creating an inconvenience.

In addition to the main touchscreen, the Forester included a secondary screen in the center dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, both displaying secondary information such as fuel economy, tire pressure, and an inclinometer. This setup seemed overly complex, as much of the information could be displayed on both screens, rendering the need for two screens somewhat redundant.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, front and rear parking assist with automated braking, and blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert. The systems operated smoothly, encouraging drivers to keep them activated.

Additionally, Toyota provided a complimentary 1-year subscription to Safety Connect services, which included automatic collision notification, an activated SOS emergency assistance button, and enhanced roadside assistance. This trial period was more generous than most automakers'.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2020 RAV4 a Top Safety Pick rating for models with full LED, curve adaptive headlights, though standard headlight performance was rated marginal. Otherwise, the RAV4 received top marks for crash protection and ADAS performance.

The 2021 Subaru Forester outperformed in safety aspects, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS with top "Good" ratings in all crash tests, a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention, and a "Good" rating for headlights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also awarded the Forester a five-star overall rating, including five stars in frontal and side-crash tests and four stars in rollover tests.

Subaru's EyeSight system, standard across the lineup, featured adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert, enabled by a pair of cameras near the rearview mirror. This camera-based system allowed Subaru quicker implementation across its models compared to rival radar-based systems. Additionally, the Forester's standard equipment included steering-responsive headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder for 2021 models.

Highway performance of EyeSight's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering functions was adequate, although the latter's steering inputs were less smooth than a skilled human driver. Lead-vehicle start alert potentially triggered false alarms at rolling red lights.

Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The blind-spot monitoring system's prominent mirror-mounted warning lights were particularly appreciated for their visibility.