When you’re looking for a vehicle prepared to head off-road and with enough safety features to help keep you and your passengers safe, the Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Forester are two vehicles worth looking at.
The team at Crabtree Toyota has put together this comparison to help you decide which SUV is right for you. We hope drivers near Watertown, CT, find this comparison helpful.
HORSEPOWER
OFF-ROADING TRIM
ROAD SIGN ASSIST
The Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Forester are excellent daily drivers. These sporty SUVs equip impressive powertrains to add pep to your early-morning commutes. However, with greater standard output and an available hybrid engine, the Toyota comes out on top.
The Subaru Forester is powered by one engine. Its 2.5L 4-cylinder engine produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It works with a Lineartronic® CVT (Continually Variable Transmission) and a standard all-wheel drive system.
The RAV4 has two engine options: a hybrid and a gas engine. The standard 2.5L 4-cylinder gas engine offers more power than the Subaru out of the gate with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque.
If you prefer a hybrid engine, it offers even more power. The Toyota’s available 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid produces an impressive 219 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque.
Both Toyota engines also have multiple drive modes so you can customize your ride. These are SPORT, Eco, and NORMAL modes. With the hybrid engine, you can also enjoy EV and TRAIL modes.
Want to be prepared for anything? Slide into the driver’s seats of the RAV4 and the Forester to see what true athleticism looks and feels like. These SUVs are designed to perform both on and off the road. However, thanks to drive mode technology, the Toyota may be better able to adapt to your various adventures.
The Subaru Forester is prepared to head off-road. It has a system called X-MODE® that optimizes the All-Wheel Drive system for better traction on slippery surfaces. You can also opt for a dual-function version of X-MODE® with a Deep Snow/Mud setting.
The RAV4 comes even more prepared than the Forester. The RAV4’s available Multi-Terrain Select system on All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models offers four modes you can choose among depending on the terrain you encounter. The modes are MUD & SAND, ROCK & DIRT, SNOW, and NORMAL.
The RAV4 even has a trim level devoted to off-roading: the TRD Off-Road trim. It has a TRD-tuned suspension with enhanced rebound control for better ride quality as well as skid plates to protect the underside of the SUV. The Subaru Forester has a comparable trim: the Wilderness trim. This model features enhanced off-road capabilities and adventure-ready amenities.
Getting behind the wheel of either of these trims will help you take the great outdoors by storm.
When you’re at the wheel of the Toyota or the Subaru, you can focus on the road and the adventure ahead. Both SUVs have standard safety suites that perform actively and passively to keep you on your intended course.
Part of the technology offered in both SUVs is found in their driver-assistive and safety systems. These features are meant to help keep drivers and passengers safe while making driving easier.
Some of the systems the Forester and the RAV4 share are:
Plus, when you need help pulling out of a parking spot or parallel parking in the city, the backup cameras on either SUV will lend a hand.
The RAV4 takes the leads thanks to its Road Sign Assist system, which uses cameras to monitor various traffic signs and relays that information to the Multi-Information Display. This feature is especially helpful if you’re unsure of the set speed limit when traveling new routes.
As you can see, the Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Forester are impressive SUVs. However, when you put them head to head in terms of power, off-road capability, and safety features, the RAV4 comes out on top.
If drivers near Watertown, CT, want to get an up-close look at the RAV4, they can visit Crabtree Toyota. We’ll get you behind the wheel for a test drive so you can experience firsthand what the RAV4 can do. Contact us to schedule a test drive today.
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