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Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4
In the past 23 years I have owned just two cars, both hatchbacks, a '78 Corolla for 189,000+ miles and currently a '90 Prizm now at 207,000+ miles. I intend to buy a new car before the next New England winter. I have narrowed it down to the Forester or RAV4. In the test drive I thought the Forester had better acceleration, a major concern since my commute entails entering the 70 mph highway traffic from a stop. Both have good reliability and safety ratings ... neither has the fuel efficiency I currently have ... and on other aspects they seem to be evenly split. If I'm going to spend $20,000+ I want to make a good decision. What advice can you give me?
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Comments
The Forester "is" a car, so it does meet all the car safety and crash requirements. The Rav4 is considered a multi-purpose vehicle, which is not required to meet those tougher car standards. For example, the rear bumper of the Rav4 would never pass the car bumper test. Its rear bumper is really a joke. Actually the rear mounted spare tire is the bumper, and when that gets hit, expect huge rear end damage and repair costs.
I would think the Forester, because it has a larger engine, is better able to deal with full loads better than the Rav4.
I like the "looks" of the Rav4 better, but the Forester "works" better, IMO.
For what it's worth, there will be an all-new Forester arriving here next February or March.
Bob
The RAV4 seemed a bit small and didn't have enough pep, but other than that I liked it. At the time the warranty was 3/36, though now it's longer, and the new one also has more power. Still no rear bumper, so if you chose it just make sure to buy the accessory bumper to have some protection.
But I have no regrets, the Forester has been great. I'm averaging over 25mpg overall, and it's been on the beach, farm, and a few orchards. I have used the roof rack extensively, and I could not live without it. I've also towed and hauled pretty big payloads.
It's never let me down in 3 years and 39k miles. In fact, it's very likely that our next car with be another Subaru. If the WRX were a little bigger, the wife would own one now. Guess I have to wait for a Legacy turbo.
-juice
I find the power adequate - not great, but adequate, and cruising 70 mph is easy and quiet. The larger Forester engine would probably be better from standing starts.
If you are going to have adults riding in the back seats, be sure to carefully check out both vehicles on this score.
NHTSA rollover tests are not yet in for the RAV. My fingers are crossed.
Both manufacturers are above average for durability, reliability, resale value, etc.
Mileage: I'm getting 26.8 mpUSg, 50/50 suburbs/hwy, with auto trans.
Almost 9,000 miles, and no problems to date.
I doubt you would go wrong with either choice.
Good luck.
ejp
I just checked their site again- NHTSA has rated the '01 RAV4 at 3 stars (both FWD and 4WD) for the rollover test, the same as the Forester and many other SUV's. None were rated higher, a few were lower.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov, then look for 'rollover resistance ratings' then 'rated vehicle details'.
I have now uncrossed my fingers.
ejp
Do you know of a better rollover test, one you consider to be accurate?
It is just a static measurement, and I agree a dynamic one would be far more useful.
-juice
At the limit, though, the tires give. It would seem pretty difficult to actually roll one.
-juice
ejp
-juice
The Forester feel's more solid when "swerving" because it has a lower center of gravity. The Forester uses a boxer engine that, unlike the inline-4 used in the RAV4, lies low in the engine bay.
Ken
Bob
I have a 1300psi pressure washer and use that to wash my car. It never leaks, not a drop. My Miata does, but it's because of the soft top, not the frameless doors (which it also has).
Frameless windows are used on lots of high-end cars, like the priciest Mercedes and BMW coupes. The doors are lighter, and allow for thin pillars and better visibility.
C&D measures noise at 70mph, and in several comparisons with small SUVs, the Forester has always been the quietest or tied for the quietest.
-juice
-juice
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Plus, look closely at a newer Subie and you'll see they are double sealed. If water manages to get past the first seal, there is a channel for water to drain out, and another seal.
It can take the pressure of a 1300 psi pressure washer and not leak, so I'm sure it's more than adequate for any rain.
-juice
PS They work great on the M3 and Porsche 911 turbo!
Bob
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
-juice
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Some people (non car nuts) still use the old designation.
Steve, Host
Escape will come in a hybrid soon, so will that be the first hybrid crossover? ;-)
-juice
http://www.motorportal.com/j__d__powers_survey.htm
Thought everyone would be interested in this survey.
-Frank P.
CR had Forester slightly ahead of the RAV4 in reliability, but that was the 2002 model. 2003s should be good because they have the new wheel bearing design, and that was probably the most common complaint on the old Forester.
-juice
I am getting lost in all the naming games!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
the 04 forester will be getting a turbo motor, but the rumors are flying as to which engine exactly we'll be seeing...most reports I've read point to a 2.0l WRX motor making perhaps a bit less HP and a bit more torque down low, but nothing's official. Others seem to "know" that it's a 2.5l turbo coming...either way, it should be quite a ride. Early price estimates are around $26K. We'll know by June 03 when they should start hitting the showrooms.
B
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Why? Well, we got a hold of an internal memo from the SIA plant, and they specify a 2.5l turbo engine will go in the Baja soon, so it'll already certified for use in the US.
They notify the employees at the plant because they'll be building the Bajas.
Forester still could get the JDM 217hp 2.0l turbo, but I doubt they'd go through the cost of certifying a 4th turbo engine (WRX, STi, Baja, and now Forester).
-juice
Bob
-juice
Prediction:
If the STi does not have the "rumored" 2.5, neither will the Baja or Forester.
If, however, the STi gets the 2.5, I say there's there's a 60/40 change in favor of both the Baja and Forester getting a de-tuned version of the 2.5 too.
We should start a countdown to the Detroit show. It starts in about 3 weeks or so.
Bob
-juice
Couple quick questions.
Are all the '04 Foresters coming with a Turbo? or just some?
Are we sure about the June 03 launch date for them?
Because, honestly, if the 04 Foresters are coming out in June, I'll wait till then to get one. I figure if they have a color I like better I get it, and if they don't, I get a left-over 03 at a nice discount.
*HINT* Of the colors available now, make the freakin Cayenne Red available in the XS trim!
- Lou
Bob
A leather auto premium is about $24 grand currently, so with those it might cost $25-26k or so.
-juice
2003 Subaru Forester XS Premium
1.9% Financing Available on This Car*
Stk # SU30042 5 Door, Auto, Climate Control, Power Windows/Locks/Mirrors, ABS, AM/FM/6-CD Changer, Tilt, Cruise, Front/Side Airbags, Alloy Wheels, plus:
Windshield Wiper De-Icers
Heated Mirrors
Heated Front Seats
Armrest Extension
ONE HUGE MOONROOF!
When you consider all the features you get, it's a deal.
-juice
It seems to me that size-wise these two are each other's only direct competition, and Forester never feels like it is straining on the highway the way RAV occasionally does.
If they could even just shove the Camry's current 4-cyl in the RAV, that would give it another 10 hp and 20 lb-ft.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
But I think the Camry's 4 is too big, and would upset the balance of the RAV.
Subaru has VVT in the JDM models, they call it AVCS. We're still waiting for it to arrive on US models.
-juice