2026–27 Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Forester: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the RAV4 — it leads our weighted scorecard 7–3 across 10 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.18 vs 0.53) and better 5-year value retention (63.7% vs 55.6%). Choose the Forester if the lower sticker matters most ($29,995 vs $31,900 to start).
Scorecard: RAV4 7 pts · Forester 3 pts across 10 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 RAV4 | 2027 Forester | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $31,900 | $29,995 | Forester |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.18 | 0.53 | RAV4 |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 63.7% | 55.6% | RAV4 |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 43 mpg | 35 mpg | RAV4 |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 324 hp | 194 hp | RAV4 |
| Max towing (1) | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 37.8 cu ft | 35.4 cu ft | RAV4 |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 2.2% off MSRP | 7.3% off MSRP | Forester |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 7 | 3 | RAV4 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the RAV4 — 43 mpg vs 35 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the RAV4 — 37.8 cu ft vs 35.4 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Forester — $29,995 vs $31,900 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $28,621 for the RAV4 vs $23,085 for the Forester.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the RAV4 — 63.7% vs 55.6% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — RAV4 3,500 lb vs Forester 3,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The RAV4 starts at $31,900 and tops out at $48,500; the Forester runs $29,995 to $41,545 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified RAV4 buyers paid a median 2.2% off MSRP across 70 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 4.2% off. Verified Forester buyers paid a median 7.3% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 9% off. Used, the median asking price is $28,621 for the RAV4 and $23,085 for the Forester (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- RAV4: 0.18 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 98th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Forester: 0.53 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 52th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: RAV4 5, Forester 5.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Forester 2016 (avoid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 RAV4 | 2027 Forester | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $31,900 | $29,995 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $48,500 | $41,545 |
| Horsepower | 226–324 hp | 180–194 hp |
| Max torque | 170 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 38–43 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 26–35 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Max payload | 1,340 lb | — |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 37.8 cu ft | 35.4 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| RAV4 | Forester | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 181 in | 183.3 in |
| Width | 73 in | 72 in |
| Height | 66.5 in | 68.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in | 105.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | 8.7 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) RAV4 lists for a median $26,414 — 63.7% of today's median new price of $41,446. A 5-year-old (2021) Forester lists for a median $22,000 — 55.6% of today's median new price of $39,595.
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More on the Toyota RAV4
More on the Subaru Forester
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the RAV4 better than the Forester?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the RAV4 — it leads our weighted scorecard 7–3 across 10 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.18 vs 0.53) and better 5-year value retention (63.7% vs 55.6%). Choose the Forester if the lower sticker matters most ($29,995 vs $31,900 to start).
Which is more reliable, the RAV4 or the Forester?
On federal data, the RAV4: owners filed 0.18 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold versus 0.53 for the Forester (2015–2022 sales years). That's complaint volume, not a survey score. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 RAV4 and 5 for the Forester.
Which holds its value better, the RAV4 or the Forester?
The RAV4: a 5-year-old example lists for 63.7% of the new price, versus 55.6% for the Forester, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the RAV4 or the Forester?
The Forester starts lower: $29,995 vs $31,900 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 2.2% off MSRP on the RAV4 (70 deals) and 7.3% on the Forester (5 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the RAV4 or the Forester?
The RAV4: up to 43 mpg combined vs 35 mpg for the Forester (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Forester: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/toyota-rav4-vs-subaru-forester, updated November 8, 2026.