2021 Subaru Forester vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely due to its continuation from the previous generation. The most noticeable update was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to adhere to the adage of not fixing what wasn't broken, maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim appeared plain with its 17-inch steel wheels, but the overall design was clean and unpretentious. The Forester Sport models added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which significantly enhanced its visual appeal, especially when paired with a complementary paint color like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback, emphasizing its rugged SUV marketing despite its shared underpinnings with sedans and hatchbacks. The interior was practical, with materials designed for durability rather than aesthetics. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats and other conveniences, enhancing the Forester's appeal for those seeking comfort in various weather conditions.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, a continuation of its 2019 redesign, had evolved significantly from its original "cute-ute" category, becoming a mature crossover SUV and a sales leader. Its exterior design, while fitting in with current crossover trends, featured angular wheel arches and crisp lines that contrasted with the body-side bends. The expressive headlights and grille gave it a playful yet aggressive look, complemented by Toyota's renowned fit-and-finish quality.

Inside, the 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. The interior design included a circuit-board-inspired pattern that tied various cabin elements together, from seat inserts to dash pieces. The Adventure-trim test vehicle featured 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels, adding to its distinctive style. Overall, the RAV4's design and quality made it a standout in the crowded crossover market.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, a hallmark of Subaru's design. The Forester had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, with Trailer Stability Assist as standard. While the power felt adequate for most situations, it lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds. The suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with significant body roll in corners and bounce on uneven surfaces. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, with X-Mode for different surfaces, and Dual X-Mode on Sport models. Hill-descent control was standard on Premium and higher trims, and the Forester offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance for better off-road capability.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered three powertrains, with the gasoline-only model featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with AWD as an option. Fuel economy for FWD models was 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway/30 mpg combined, while AWD models were slightly less efficient. The RAV4 Hybrid used a similar engine with an electric motor, producing 217 combined net horsepower and achieving 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway/40 mpg combined. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid offered 302 horsepower, standard AWD, and an eCVT, with an EPA rating of 40 mpg city/36 mpg highway/38 mpg combined, and up to 42 miles of electric-only range. The Adventure AWD model provided smooth power delivery and good highway performance, with a conventional transmission offering familiar sensations. The RAV4's car-like handling, MacPherson struts, and multi-link suspension contributed to its popularity, with AWD models featuring Multi-Terrain Select and dynamic torque vectoring for improved handling.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered generous interior space, with above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel, though it allowed sunlight to raise cabin temperatures quickly. Cargo space was ample, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. While it offered more cargo space than some competitors, it lacked a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on higher trims. The Forester's cupholders were well-sized, but the phone-storage cubby was too small, and wireless charging was unavailable. The center console was reasonably sized, and the large knobs for audio and climate control were appreciated, though the steering wheel had an overwhelming number of buttons.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 had grown over the years, offering 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. It had a healthy payload capacity of 1,050-1,230 pounds, depending on configuration. Towing capacity varied, with Adventure and TRD Off-Road models rated for up to 3,500 pounds. Inside, the RAV4 was roomy and comfortable for four, with ample legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headroom in the front row. Cupholders and storage spaces were plentiful, and the center console provided additional storage. The middle seat in the second row was less desirable but not uncomfortable.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured the Subaru Starlink infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio, while Limited and Touring models added navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls, though the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays showed secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered a robust technology suite, with a 7-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Wi-Fi Connect as standard. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, with Premium Audio available on Limited and RAV4 Prime XSE models, featuring an 11-speaker JBL system and navigation. The RAV4 Prime showcased advanced technology, with multiple USB ports, auxiliary power outlets, ambient lighting, wireless charging, a bird’s-eye view camera, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with EyeSight, a camera-based driver-assist system, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking. The system performed adequately, though lane-centering felt jerky.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 included the Star Safety System and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, with features like enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and parking assist. The RAV4 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with the RAV4 Prime earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid five-star ratings.