The SUV segment is currently the hottest in the market and because of this, battles like the 2017 Subaru Forester vs 2017 Toyota RAV4 become common scenarios among buyers looking to get themselves a good SUV. That being said, which SUV should you put your money on, the 2017 Subaru Forester or 2017 Toyota RAV4?
2017 Subaru Forester vs 2017 Toyota RAV4: Powertrain Comparison
Needless to say, power is one of the first things we check out regardless of the kind of vehicle we are looking to buy. According to US News, the 2017 Subaru Forester offers two options for its powertrain. First is the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder that is good for 170 horsepower. This is matted with a standard six-speed automatic transmission and an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). Accordingly, the CVT becomes standard in the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 250 horsepower.
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 in comparison does not offer an option for its powertrain. The only available engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that can put out 176 horsepower. Accordingly, this powertrain is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with no other gearbox option.
2017 Subaru Forester vs 2017 Toyota RAV4: Fuel Efficiency
Fuel economy is a factor that can never be taken out in any equation when it comes to choosing the right SUV or any vehicle for that matter. The 2017 Subaru Forester gets another point in this regard with its 26/32 miles per gallon range for city and highway driving. The 2017 Toyota RAV4 on the other hand, only has a rating of 22/28 miles per gallon in the city and on the highway respectively.
2017 Subaru Forester vs 2017 Toyota RAV4: Overall Interior
In terms of overall interior that includes seat comfort and refinement, technology and cargo space, the 2017 Subaru Forester once again takes the lead except in the cargo space factor. The Forester offers overall comfortable seats with quiet cabin while the RAV4 gives a bit of difficulty for the passengers in the second row.
The infotainment is also among the factors in which the 2017 Subaru Forester is praised a lot. Apparently, most people find that there is nothing exciting about the infotainment system of the 2017 Toyota RAV4. The same is true when it comes to interior technology as the 2017 Subaru Forester packs more of it.
As for the cargo space, the 2017 Forester is considered to have among the biggest in the segment with its 34.4 cubic-feet of space. This however, is toppled by the 2017 Toyota RAV4 that boasts 38.4 cubic-feet of space. The tables turn however, once you fold the second row as the Forester towers over the RAV4 with 74.4 against 73.4 cubic-feet of space for Subaru and Toyota respectively.
2017 Subaru Forester vs 2017 Toyota RAV4: Safety And Reliability
In terms of safety and reliability, the 2017 Forester and 2017 Toyota RAV4 have the same rating and are both given Top Safety Pick+ award by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) making them equal in the safety aspect. The reliability factor however, is a different story. According to J.D Power scores, the previous RAV4 rated higher than the Forester and since both models were not heavily modified for 2017, the RAV4 is expected to get the point in this regard like it did last year.
2017 Subaru Forester vs 2017 Toyota RAV4: Price And Verdict
According to The Car Connection, the 2017 Subaru Forester has a starting price of $22,595. The 2017 Toyota in comparison, has a base price of $24,350. Clearly, the 2017 Subaru Forester offers a better deal than the 2017 Toyota RAV4 and another point goes to the former.
In conclusion, the 2017 Subaru Forester scores the most points against the 2017 Toyota RAV4. Therefore, the 2017 Subaru Forester is declared the winner in this SUV showdown. Of course, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 still cannot be counted out because the fact of the matter is, there are many loyal followers of the brand and they would choose the RAV4 over anything else regardless of how anyone compares it to other brands.
