Subaru Forester Wilderness vs. Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Forester Wilderness and Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road 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 Wilderness and the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road.
When we compare the Subaru Forester Wilderness's and the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester Wilderness has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. The Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Forester Wilderness's and the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road's specifications and ratings, the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road is a better car than the Subaru Forester Wilderness.
Pricing: A used 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness ranges from $34,008 to $39,656 while a used 2024 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road is priced between $39,322 to $43,964. For a new model, the Subaru Forester Wilderness's price is between $36,101 and $39,737, with the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road priced between $39,343 and $43,628.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Forester Wilderness loses 34.5 percent of its value and the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road loses 28.7 percent of its value. This means the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road retains 5.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Subaru Forester Wilderness.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru Forester is 8.6 out of 10 while the Toyota RAV4's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Subaru Forester being ranked 6 out of 19 Best Small SUVs and the Toyota RAV4 being ranked 2 out of 19. Out of 67 Best Crossover SUVs, the Subaru Forester is ranked 17 and the Toyota RAV4 is ranked 5.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru Forester is 8.3 out of 10. For the Toyota RAV4 the reliability rating is 8.5 out of 10. This gives the Toyota RAV4 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru Forester.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Forester Wilderness’s base engine makes 182 horsepower, and the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road base engine makes 203 horsepower. The Wilderness is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 465 miles. The TRD Off-Road is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 464 miles.This gives the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Subaru Forester Wilderness the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/compact SUVs, the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear head room and cargo space. The Subaru Forester Wilderness has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Forester Wilderness and the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, both the Subaru Forester Wilderness and the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road have the same Top Safety Pick award.
Overview
There couldn’t be two more different vehicles in the same segment than the Forester and the RAV4. Both are compact crossovers competing in the two-row SUV category, but where the RAV4 aims for a more practical-minded, daily driver audience, the Forester shoots for adventure and off-road capability as its core focus. The RAV4 is a best-seller in the segment for many reasons, including its family-friendly interior, high level of refinement, and long list of trim levels and options. The Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive and has Subaru’s signature “get out and do stuff” but not- quite-comfortable-enough interior. When comparing all-wheel-drive fuel economy numbers, the RAV4 and Forester have similar ratings. The RAV4 does have front-wheel drive and hybrid options to boost those MPG numbers significantly over the Forester single drivetrain approach.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$36,101 - $39,737
Starting MSRP:
$34,920
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$27,871
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$23,860 - $30,300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$39,343 - $43,628
Starting MSRP:
$38,295
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$27,871
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$23,860 - $30,300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$37,148
Price Range:
$34,008 - $39,656
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$33,244
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$29,649 - $36,546
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,073
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
604
# Good or Great Deals:
23
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$41,533
Price Range:
$39,322 - $43,964
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
$33,244
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$29,649 - $36,546
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
91
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
980
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Toyota RAV4 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester Wilderness
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
10.9
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.9 - 13.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
10.3%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.9
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.9 - 13.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
40.8%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
18.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.8 - 18.3
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact SUVs)
1.8 - 18.3
Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 14Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 59Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
49 out of / 67Toyota RAV4 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 39Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 14Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 39Ranking
2 out of / 34Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
3 out of / 39Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 30Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 39Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
14 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 19Ranking
18 out of / 39Ranking
19 out of / 39Ranking
19 out of / 19Ranking
19 out of / 19Ranking
22 out of / 59Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
29 out of / 39Ranking
30 out of / 67Ranking
32 out of / 39Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
34 out of / 39Ranking
35 out of / 39Ranking
36 out of / 39Ranking
37 out of / 39Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
45 out of / 67Ranking
65 out of / 67Ranking
66 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Other Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring
Other Toyota RAV4 Trim Levels
Adventure, LE, Limited, XLE, XLE Premium
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
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 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
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 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):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
203 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 5000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 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):
25 / 28 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
415 / 465 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 32 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
363 / 464 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.2 inches
Cargo Space:
26.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
69.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
134.5 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:
37.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
69.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
136.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3620 lbs
Width:
81.3 inches
Height:
68.9 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
104.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
9.2 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3615 lbs
Width:
73.4 inches
Height:
68.6 inches
Length:
181.5 inches
Wheelbase:
105.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/60R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/60R18
