2021 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 adopted a rugged exterior design that aimed to channel the aesthetic of a traditional SUV. Its boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and scowling front end stood in stark contrast to the more approachable look of previous RAV4 generations and most compact crossovers available at the time. The aggressive styling helped the RAV4 stand out in its category and contributed to the perception that it was more than just an ordinary vehicle. However, beneath the eye-catching exterior, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which was a well-engineered foundation shared with other Toyota models like the Camry and Sienna. This combination meant that while the RAV4 looked tough, its mechanical underpinnings were more akin to a conventional family car.

The interior of the RAV4 also featured rugged styling elements, with large rubberized knobs and door handles that added a functional touch. While the material quality was decent on lower trims, it didn’t elevate significantly with the higher trims, leading to a somewhat underwhelming feel for the price. The TRD Off-Road model, for instance, had SofTex upholstery, which was a lighter and more durable alternative to leather, though real leather was not available, even on the range-topping Limited trim.

By contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester continued with a design that felt more familiar and utilitarian. Despite being redesigned in 2019, it retained much of the styling from the previous generation. The primary change was distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru likely followed the philosophy of not fixing what wasn't broken, as the Forester’s boxy, upright shape catered well to SUV shoppers' preferences. The base trim appeared plain with its 17-inch steel wheels but maintained a clean and unpretentious look compared to the more aggressively styled compact crossovers in the market.

The Forester Sport trim added some visual flair with orange striping around the body and roof rails, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which looked quite striking, especially in contrasting colors like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester rode on the Subaru Global Platform, which it shared with models like the Impreza, Crosstrek, Legacy, Outback, and Ascent. This shared DNA meant the Forester presented itself as an SUV but retained the driving dynamics of a sedan or hatchback. Inside, the Forester offered a no-nonsense mix of materials designed for durability over aesthetics. The Sport trim interiors featured colored trim and cross-stitching to add a bit of zest. While low trims had cloth upholstery, the Limited and Touring trims stepped up to leather upholstery. An All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, added practical features such as heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a single gasoline engine option: the 2.5-liter “Dynamic Force” four-cylinder, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Remarkably, this engine boasted 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically seen in racing engines, and delivered its power at high revs, peaking at 6,600 rpm.

Despite the capable engine, the rest of the RAV4’s driving dynamics didn’t quite match. The transmission was hesitant to shift, leading to a lackluster driving experience where the engine felt chained by the vehicle’s ordinary handling. Steering responsiveness was quick but felt disconnected, creating a somewhat videogame-like driving experience. Even with a "Sport" mode that added weight to the steering, the overall feel didn’t improve significantly.

However, on the highway, the RAV4 found its comfort zone. It offered a quiet cabin and a suspension that effectively dampened road imperfections. For those interested in off-road adventures, the RAV4 Adventure and TRD Off-Road models featured enhancements like torque-vectoring AWD, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, specific suspension tuning, Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires, and a respectable towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

In comparison, the 2021 Subaru Forester also came with a single powertrain option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired exclusively with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and included a manual mode with paddle shifters on certain trims. The boxer engine design maintained a lower center of gravity.

With this setup, Subaru quoted a 1,500-pound towing capacity, supported by Trailer Stability Assist as standard. However, the Forester’s performance felt uninspired, particularly during highway merges or overtaking. The engine provided adequate power in most scenarios but lacked the robust thrust needed for more aggressive driving maneuvers. Furthermore, wind noise was quite noticeable at high speeds.

The Forester’s ride was comfortably soft but lacked body control, resulting in substantial body roll around corners and a lot of bounce on uneven pavements. Although AWD was standard and sophisticated with the inclusion of X-Mode for adapting to various driving surfaces, the Forester’s ride wasn’t particularly engaging for spirited driving. Premium and higher trims had hill-descent control and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making them capable of handling rougher terrains than an average compact crossover.

The RAV4’s tall, upright roof offered competitive headroom in both rows and good outward visibility thanks to extensive glass surfaces. However, legroom fell behind some competitors. The front seats in the RAV4 TRD Off-Road seemed very comfortable, with a snug, form-fitting shape, while the rear seats had flat, hard cushions that made long journeys seem less appealing. The second-row seats didn’t slide forward or back, limiting flexibility compared to competitors like the Ford Escape or Nissan Rogue. Cargo capacity stood at 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, above average but still less than the class-leading Honda CR-V. The wide cargo opening eased loading, though the higher lip could be problematic for some users.

Knobs and controls in the RAV4 were oversized and functional, fitting the rugged styling theme even with gloves on. However, storage options like the center-console bin and phone-holding spaces were somewhat limited by larger control components.

The Forester excelled in offering generous headroom and legroom in both seating rows, partly due to its tall, flat roof design, which also enhanced the spacious feel and outward visibility. This design could let in a considerable amount of sunlight, raising cabin temperatures during sunny days. Cargo space in the Forester measured 35.4 cubic feet with rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them down, outclassing the 2021 Honda CR-V and the 2022 Hyundai Tucson when seats were folded, but lagging slightly when seats were up. Unlike competitors, the Forester did not have a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on Limited and Touring trims.

Though the Forester did not boast an extraordinary number of cupholders, those it had were adequately sized and practical. The center console was serviceable, but the phone-storage space was too small for average-sized phones, and wireless charging wasn’t available. Base trims didn’t get a power-adjustable driver’s seat, which was only standard from the Premium trim upwards.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was well-equipped on the technology front with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, but the Limited trim got an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid could be equipped with a 9-inch screen. Other tech features included up to five USB ports and an optional JBL premium audio system.

While the infotainment system was user-friendly with easily readable graphics and shortcut buttons for essential functions, it was not particularly flashy or innovative. The gasoline RAV4 didn’t offer a head-up display, a feature reserved for the RAV4 Prime.

The 2021 Subaru Forester’s standard Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio, plus USB ports for the front row and a CD player. The Sport trim added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while the Limited and Touring trims featured navigation and rear USB ports.

The Forester’s infotainment system was also easy to use, thanks to intuitive graphics and physical shortcut buttons, though it was slow to boot up when starting the car. Additional information screens in the center of the dashboard and in the instrument cluster offered detailed secondary information, but the abundance of displays felt somewhat redundant and overly complicated.

Safety was a strong point for both vehicles. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned high safety scores, receiving a “Top Safety Pick” from the IIHS with “Good” ratings in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech. It missed the highest “Top Safety Pick+” due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side crash tests.

The RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included features such as forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and optional park assist and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Subaru Forester also boasted impressive safety credentials, earning the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS with “Good” ratings across all crash tests, a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention, and a “Good” rating for headlights. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with five stars in both frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests.

Subaru’s EyeSight system came standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. The Forester was unique in offering a driver-monitoring system called DriverFocus, which checked for signs of driver distraction. Additional standard safety features included steering-responsive headlights, automatic high beams, and a rear seatbelt reminder. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.