Subaru Forester VS The Competition
What Route 23 Drivers Should Know Before Choosing a RAV4 or CR-V Instead
View Forester InventorySubaru Forester vs. Toyota RAV4 & Honda CR-V
Before you settle on a compact SUV, it's worth putting the three most cross-shopped options side by side. A few things stand out fast:
- One of these three costs less than the other two, at every trim level.
- Only one puts all-wheel drive on the base model without an upcharge.
- One offers noticeably more interior room than the other two combined competitors.
In every case, that's the Forester. Base price, top trim price, and standard equipment all favor it over the RAV4 and CR-V, and Subaru's own published measurements put its interior space ahead of both rivals.
Wayne Subaru built this breakdown for shoppers across Wayne, Pompton Lakes, Butler, and Kinnelon who want the actual numbers before they decide what to test drive first.
Starting MSRP [1]
Subaru Forester Base:
$29,995
Toyota RAV4 LE:
Honda CR-V LX:
$31,900
$31,520
Fully Loaded MSRP
Subaru Forester Touring:
$41,595
Toyota RAV4 Limited:
Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid:
$43,300
$42,950
The takeaway: No matter which trim you're cross-shopping, base or loaded, the Forester's sticker price comes in under the RAV4 and CR-V, and every one of those dollars already includes AWD as standard equipment.
Ownership Numbers Worth Knowing Before You Sign
Sticker price is only part of the equation. Here's how the Forester has actually performed for owners once the new-car shine wears off.
Hybrid AWD, No Exceptions
Subaru Forester Hybrid:
Standard, Every Trim
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (Base Trims):
Honda CR-V Hybrid (All Trims):
Optional (+$1,400)
Available, Not Standard
Consumer Reports Standing
Subaru Forester:
2026 Top Compact SUV
J.D. Power Resale Ranking
Subaru Forester:
#1, Compact SUVs
Nearly all – 96% – of Foresters sold over the past decade are still on the road today, a track record that speaks louder than any spec sheet claim.
Built for Passaic County Winters, Not Just Brochures
Standard All‑Wheel Drive
Subaru Forester:
Standard, Every Trim
Toyota RAV4 Base Trims:
Honda CR-V (All Trims):
Optional (+$1,400)
Available, Not Standard
Ground Clearance
Forester Wilderness:
9.3 Inches
Forester (Standard Trims):
Toyota RAV4:
8.7 Inches
Up to 8.6 Inches
Max Towing Capacity
Forester Wilderness:
3,500 lbs.
Toyota RAV4:
Honda CR-V:
1,500 lbs.
1,500 lbs.
Total Interior Volume [2]
Subaru Forester:
Up to 110.8 cu. ft.
Toyota RAV4:
Honda CR-V:
Less Than Forester
Less Than Forester
Why it matters: Route 23 doesn't get any easier once the snow starts. Standard traction and extra ground clearance mean fewer surprises on the commute, not just a marketing line on a window sticker.
A Cabin Sized for Gear, Not Just Passengers
The Forester's boxy shape isn't just a styling choice – it's the reason it packs up to 110.8 cubic feet of total interior volume into a compact footprint. Whether that's hockey bags out of Kinnelon or a Costco run in Wayne, the Forester makes room for it. Wireless Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and a large available touchscreen are standard across the lineup.
Standard Safety Tech, Not a Trim-Level Upsell
EyeSight® Comes Standard, Not Optional
Adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, forward collision mitigation, and adaptive headlights ship on every single Forester trim, base included.
More Coverage as You Move Up
Higher Forester trims layer in Automatic Emergency Steering, Blind-Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Emergency Lane Keep Assist.
A Bird's-Eye View When Parking
Available on upper trims, the Surround-View Monitor gives you a top-down look around the Forester, useful for tight lots along Route 23.
Forester vs. RAV4 vs. CR-V: Common Questions
They do, no exceptions. Every Forester, base to Touring, ships with Symmetrical All‑Wheel Drive already built in. The RAV4 only builds it into select trims, and the CR-V treats it as an add‑on across its whole lineup.
The Forester does, at both ends of the lineup. Its $29,995 starting price beats the RAV4's $31,900 and the CR-V's $31,520, and that gap holds at the top trim too.[1]
The Forester, according to Subaru of America's own published figures: up to 110.8 cubic feet of total interior volume, ahead of both the RAV4 and CR-V.[2]
Yes, every hybrid trim included. The RAV4 Hybrid limits standard AWD to certain trims, and the CR-V Hybrid only offers it as an option.
Strong by most measures: 96% of Foresters sold in the past decade are still being driven, J.D. Power ranks it #1 for Dependability and Projected Resale Value among Compact SUVs, and it holds a 2026 Consumer Reports Top Pick distinction.
We had a great experience and really appreciated the expertise and patience of our salesman Tim. I'd recommend him to anyone for honest answers, discussion, consistent communications, and helpful guidance as we considered what vehicle to purchase. The dealership across the board was helpful, kind, and honest. A great experience start to finish.
-Jennifer W. | Google Review
Test Drive the Forester at Wayne Subaru
Still weighing your options?
- Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4
- Subaru Forester vs Honda CR-V
- Compact SUVs with standard AWD
- Best compact SUV for North Jersey winters
[1] MSRP does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title, and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features, and models subject to change without notice. Starting and Top Trim MSRP reflect published non-plug-in trims at time of publication. Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V pricing and specifications are set by their respective manufacturers and are subject to change without notice. See your retailer for more information.
[2] Per Subaru of America's published comparison, Forester interior passenger and cargo volume exceeds that of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Manufacturer-published interior volume figures use each brand's own measurement methodology.
What Color Forester Do You Prefer?