Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4
Compact SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Forester's own years, its best bet is 2024; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the RAV4's own years, its best bet is 2018; years to avoid: 2019–2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Subaru Forester
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2024
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2017, 2019
Toyota RAV4
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2018
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2019–2020
- Be careful 2021
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Forester year says nothing about whether it beats a RAV4. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Subaru Forester | Toyota RAV4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and steering | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly air bags and engine | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly fuel system and engine | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly air bags and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 2026 Toyota RAV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $29,995 to $41,595 base price by trim, 10 trims | $31,900 to $48,500 base price by trim, 10 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.5L 4-cyl, 162–180 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 162–180 hp | 2.5L 4-cyl, 184–186 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 184–186 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 26–35 mpg | 38–43 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | 27.5–29.6 cu ft | 33.5–37.8 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 69.1–74.4 cu ft | 63.5–70.4 cu ft |
| Max towing | 1,500–3,500 lb | 1,750–3,500 lb |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | Not rated |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 3 · 22 | 1 · 35 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Forester Base lowest price, $29,995 | Forester Touring highest price, $41,595 | RAV4 LE lowest price, $31,900 | RAV4 Prime GR SPORT highest price, $48,500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Wired only | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | — | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | Standard | — | — |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | — | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | — | Standard | No | Standard |
| Remote start | — | — | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Forester, RAV4).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Subaru Forester
14 manufacturer programs on file: 11 extended coverage, 3 repair programs.
- Extended coverage This bulletin announces a warranty extension information regarding 12 Volt vehicle batteries. (07-207-22, 2015–2020 models)
- Extended coverage This Warranty Extension will not cover any excessive engine oil consumption found to be a result of any condition(s) other than those specifically described in this bulletin 2013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engines,… (02-157-14, 2010–2015 models)
- Extended coverage If a customer experiences windshield damage, inspect the damage as per the guidelines supplied in this bulletin to confirm if the damage is covered under the Warranty Extension. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car… (12-257-25, 2019–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension. (2017–2020 models)
Toyota RAV4
26 manufacturer programs on file: 16 extended coverage, 10 repair programs.
- Extended coverage CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint. (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Repair Process: Customer Support Program ZKG ? (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the… (2010–2017 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010–2016, 2018, 2022–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2020: the Forester is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance), while the RAV4 is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and fuel system). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: RAV4 2019–2020.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Forester 2025; RAV4 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Lower starting price in 2026: the Forester, from $29,995 against $31,900. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: RAV4 at 43 mpg (Forester: 35), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.