Subaru Forester vs. Toyota RAV4 Prime
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 Prime contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Subaru Forester and the Toyota RAV4 Prime.
When we compare the Subaru Forester's and the Toyota RAV4 Prime's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and interior volume. The Toyota RAV4 Prime has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Forester's and the Toyota RAV4 Prime's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2024 Subaru Forester ranges from $28,099 to $37,995 while a used 2024 Toyota RAV4 Prime is priced between $39,391 to $53,020. For a new model, the Subaru Forester's price is between $35,104 and $39,908, with the Toyota RAV4 Prime priced between $46,398 and $53,239.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Forester loses 37.2 percent of its value and the Toyota RAV4 Prime loses 34.8 percent of its value. This means the Toyota RAV4 Prime retains 2.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Subaru Forester.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Forester’s base engine makes 182 horsepower, and the Toyota RAV4 Prime base engine makes 302 horsepower. The Forester is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 548 miles. The RAV4 Prime is rated to deliver an average of 38 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 564 miles. This gives the Toyota RAV4 Prime the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru Forester. The Forester uses regular unleaded, and the RAV4 Prime uses electricity, regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Forester, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Toyota RAV4 Prime, a hybrid SUV, has the advantage in the area of cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Forester and the Toyota RAV4 Prime have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, both the Subaru Forester and the Toyota RAV4 Prime have the same Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
35104 - 39908
Starting MSRP:
27095
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
27882
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
23860 - 30300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
46398 - 53239
Starting MSRP:
43690
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
35591
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
28220 - 43690
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
32995
Price Range:
28099 - 37995
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
28186
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
23350 - 32995
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
908
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
14913
# Good or Great Deals:
398
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
46616
Price Range:
39391 - 53020
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
34790
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
31128 - 46616
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
129
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
15932
# Good or Great Deals:
59
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Toyota RAV4 Prime Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
13.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
10.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
8.6 - 14.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.208
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota RAV4 Prime
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
10.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
6.5 - 13.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
10.72845230153751
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
3.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 16.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.01778127307415
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
2.4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
1.8 - 16.6
Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 18Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
7 out of / 56Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 18Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 56Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 67Toyota RAV4 Prime Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
2 out of / 17Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
4 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 14Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 31Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 14Ranking
7 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
8 out of / 14Ranking
10 out of / 17Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
11 out of / 14Ranking
13 out of / 36Ranking
13 out of / 14Ranking
13 out of / 14Ranking
13 out of / 14Ranking
14 out of / 17Ranking
16 out of / 31Ranking
16 out of / 31Ranking
16 out of / 17Ranking
16 out of / 17Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
21 out of / 36Ranking
25 out of / 31Ranking
28 out of / 36Ranking
30 out of / 31Ranking
30 out of / 31Ranking
34 out of / 36Ranking
35 out of / 36Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Plug-In Hybrid
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring, Wilderness
Toyota RAV4 Prime Trim Levels
SE, XSE
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
176 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
302 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 33 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
432 / 548 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
40 / 36 / 38
Range (city/hwy):
622 / 564 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.2 inches
Cargo Space:
28.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
140.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Cargo Space:
33.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
69.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
136.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3454 lbs
Width:
80.9 inches
Height:
67.5 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4235 lbs
Width:
73 inches
Height:
67 inches
Length:
180.9 inches
Wheelbase:
105.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
225/60R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
225/60R18
Exterior Colors
Blue
Horizon Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Green
Cascade Green Silica
White
Crystal White Pearl
Black
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Blue
Blueprint
Gray
Magnetic Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
White
Ice Cap
Black
Midnight Black Metallic
Red
Supersonic Red
Silver
Silver Sky Metallic
Interior Colors
Gray
Gray
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Not available
Black
Black
