2025 Subaru Forester vs. Toyota SUVs: Which SUV Is the Better Buy for Outdoor Lifestyles?

A subcompact crossover SUV is a great choice whether you need a vehicle for solo adventurers or driving with a small family. The 2025 Subaru Forester and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 are top contenders. Our team at Stivers Subaru in Decatur, Georgia, has created this comprehensive guide on the Subaru Forester vs. Toyota RAV4 so you can see which one of these compact SUVs best fits your lifestyle.

Compact SUVs in Decatur: How the Subaru Forester and Toyota SUVs Compare

Learn more about the similarities and differences of these two popular SUVs as we compare the Toyota RAV4 vs. the Subaru Forester.

What Makes the 2025 Subaru Forester a Top Pick for Georgia Roads

The Subaru Forester has long been one of the most popular Subaru SUV models, and the 2025 model has now been redesigned with a more adventurous exterior, including a tougher-looking front grille and wider fender flares. This two-row compact SUV seats up to five people and offers ample cargo space for carrying groceries, luggage, or adventure gear. Subaru offers the 2025 Forester in six gas-only trims and four hybrid trims.

How the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Stacks Up in the Compact SUV Segment

The 2025 RAV4 is also a two-row compact SUV that can seat up to five people. Toyota made only a few minor updates to the 2025 model, including discontinuing the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, reducing the adventurous spirit of the RAV4. You can get this compact SUV in four gas-only trims and seven hybrid trims.

2025 Forester vs. RAV4 Pricing: Which SUV Offers Better Value?

The 2025 Subaru Forester gas models' price ranges from $29,995 for the entry-level Base trim up to $40,295 for the top-tier Touring. For the 2025 RAV4, the gas-only models' MSRP ranges from $29,250 for the entry-level LE trim up to $37,555 for the top Limited trim.

When you compare the Subaru Forester vs. RAV4 hybrid models, the Forester prices range from $34,995 for the Premium Hybrid trim up to $41,695 for the top Touring Hybrid trim. Move to the 2025 RAV4, and the prices range from $32,300 for the Hybrid LE up to $40,605 for the Hybrid Limited.

Is the Subaru Forester More Reliable Than the Toyota RAV4 in 2025?

In the Forester vs. RAV4 reliability comparison, they both have excellent ratings, although the 2025 Subaru Forester gets higher ratings overall. According to J.D. Power, the 2025 Forester gets an 83 out of 100 reliability rating, which is a Great score on their scale. This same organization gives the 2025 RAV4 an 80 out of 100, which is in their Average rating range. The car review site Edmunds reports that the 2025 Forester's maintenance costs are approximately $367 per year, while the 2025 RAV4's maintenance costs are around $95 per year.

Cargo Space Comparison: Subaru Forester vs. Toyota RAV4 for Weekend Getaways

While these SUVs are compact, they each offer plenty of cargo space. For the Subaru Forester vs. Toyota RAV4 specs, the 2025 Forester gets 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats and a generous 74.2 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. 

The 2025 RAV4 has 37.6 cubic feet of storage space with the second-row seats upright, but has less cargo space with the seats folded down — only 69.8 cubic feet compared to the Forester's generous 74.2 cubic feet. With fold-flat seats for both SUVs, you can lay a sleeping bag down in the back for camping adventures.

Interior Comfort and Visibility: Which SUV Feels Better Inside?

Both compact SUVs offer comfortable seating, with the higher trims getting attractive interior features such as leather-trimmed seating materials, power-adjustable driver's seats, and heated/ventilated front seats. The Touring and Touring Hybrid Forester trims get heated outboard rear seats.

One feature that makes the Forester stand out from the RAV4 is the design of the body. The Forester has a higher roofline, and the seats have an upright stance that makes for excellent visibility. The RAV4 has a sloped roof that can reduce visibility in the back. Overall, the Forester and RAV4 are designed for comfort, whether you're driving through the city, on road trips, or backcountry adventures.

Infotainment and Connectivity Features Drivers Will Appreciate

Subaru's infotainment system features an impressive 11.6-inch interactive touch screen, available on all models except for the Base trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. A wireless charging pad is also standard across the Forester lineup, and a Wi-Fi hotspot is optional, along with Subaru's Starlink connected services. Toyota's infotainment system has a 10.5-inch touch screen on the higher trims that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The wireless charging pad is an option on the RAV4.

Engine Performance and Drive Feel in the Forester vs. RAV4

Under the hood of the Subaru Forester gas-only models, you'll find a 2.5-liter 180-horsepower BOXER engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The hybrid models get the BOXER engine paired with electric motors, which together produce 162 horsepower. Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive comes standard on all Forester trims, making this compact SUV an ideal choice for light backcountry travels.

The Toyota RAV4 gas-only models come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 203 horsepower, while the hybrid models get 219 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard, with the option to upgrade to all-wheel drive.

Safety Ratings and Features: Which SUV Offers More Peace of Mind?

Subaru equips the 2025 Forester with their EyeSight Driver Assist Technology system, while the RAV4 gets Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. These cutting-edge safety systems have similar key features, including:

• Pre-collision warning 
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane mitigation system
• Advanced cruise control
• Automatic high-beam assist

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2025 Subaru Forester has an overall safety rating of five stars, which is their highest rating. The NHTSA gives the 2025 RAV4 a five-star overall rating but only four stars for frontal crash and rollover ratings.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 2025 Forester a Top Safety Pick, one of their highest ratings, and the 2025 RAV4 a Good rating.

Final Thoughts: Which SUV Is a Better Fit for Life in Decatur, GA?

Which of these compact SUVs is the right one for your Decatur lifestyle? The choice is personal, but the 2025 Forester has better visibility and comes standard with all-wheel drive and a larger touch screen.

Test Drive the 2025 Subaru Forester at Stivers Subaru in Decatur

The 2025 Subaru Forester is a standout compact crossover SUV with its impressive reliability, standard all-wheel drive, and appealing rugged design. Contact us at Stivers Subaru to learn more about the features of the 2025 Forester and schedule a time to take one for a test drive. Once you choose your favorite Forester trim, our finance team will find you an auto loan to suit your financial needs.

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