The 2018 New York Auto Show is in full swing and all the major new items seem to be on display. It is worth noting that once again we have witnessed how one of the main world auto events of the year was held under the constellation of the SUV class, and two big premieres in the near future will have the most direct impact on the Russian automotive market. We are talking about the fifth generation and, which are the worst competitors for the hearts of buyers in the compact crossover segment.
The outgoing version of the RAV4 was, without a doubt, a very "tolerant" car. No sharp corners, no strong statements, no controversial decisions - there was nothing like that in it. He simply had to please everyone and no one at the same time. Nevertheless, such positioning “for everyone”, generously flavored with the necessary modern chips, has borne fruit - only overseas in 2017 it was sold for 400 thousand Rafiks, which made the model one of the most popular in the world in principle.
In the opposite corner of the ring is the Subaru Forester - a car for those who know exactly what Subaru and the Forester want. A very specific offer with all the pluses and minuses, which, however, are always known in advance. The Forester held no surprises, remaining the choice of practicality and off-road enthusiasts in a compact body. The “opposers” of the Japanese company have never been considered a model of reliability, but the traditional symmetrical all-wheel drive has won many adherents.
Revolution Toyota RAV4 2019
With the new generation of the 2019 RAV4 crossover, Toyota decided to make a real revolution, shaking up the foundations on which the long-term popularity of the model was based. If earlier the appearance of the car was neutral with a bias towards femininity, now this is a very brutal proposal in the spirit of the American Toyota 4Runner and Tacoma. “Be a man - buy a RAV4”, it seems that such a slogan is now best suited for an advertising campaign for new items.
In this case, it was the message, the excessive aggressiveness in the “look” that gave the crossover the missing charisma, although we cannot unequivocally declare the beauty of such a design. It is clearly not for everyone (and not everyone). And yet, our applause to the developers for their courage and we hope that this does not turn out to be recklessness. The entire body of the new Toyota RAV4 2019 looks like it was just cut out of a single piece of granite, and not the sharpest tool.
Evolution Subaru Forester 2019
“The main thing, guys, is not to grow old with your heart!” - Subaru engineers heard and immediately spit on these wise words of the "taiga" song performed by Eduard Khil. The developers decided to leave the heart-motor crossover from the previous generation and, apparently, this completely reshaped the work of the design department, which rushed to pull the old 4th generation design onto a completely new and really modern SGP architecture.
Of course, here and there, if you look closely, you can see that the appearance of the 2019 Subaru Forester is different from its predecessor. But these differences are so insignificant that they will not do honor to other restyling. It should not be hidden that we, and many devoted Subaru lovers, too, were puzzled by such traditionalism, to put it mildly, and frankly disappointed others - well, you can’t be so careful!
2.5 liters for two
Like RAV4 2019, like Forester 2019, both will be sold with 2.5-liter 4-cylinder “aspirated”, “row” and “boxer”, respectively. Naturally, this does not mean that they are the same, but it is very significant in terms of the target audience of crossovers, which is the same - orthodox fans of reliable engines, without any "turbo whistles" there. The engine power of the Lesnik is 182 hp, while that of the Rafik is 203 hp. (officially, the last figure has not been confirmed, but in the new Camry the return of this motor is such).
Salon
Looking into the salons of both models, one can note the similarity of their architecture, with the only difference that the RAV4 display of the multimedia system is placed above the front panel, while the Forester has it built into it. Also, if you look at both interiors long enough, it may seem that the interior design of the Subaru is a little more daring, not shy about playing with shapes, transitions, a combination of sharp corners and planes. At Toyota, things are much more straightforward, plus that cushion on the steering wheel…
Who is who in the end?
Of course, the buyer will have to decide, that is, you. Which crossover to spend your hard-earned money on, which one to give preference to? We'd love to see your ideas in the comments section below!
The comparative review includes powerful modifications of crossovers with 2.5-liter gasoline aspirated in the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester and 2.4 liters in the case of the Honda CR-V. None of the rivals in this situation allows you to choose the option with a manual transmission: RAV4 and CR-V are equipped with a hydromechanical "automatic", Forester is equipped with a continuously variable transmission Lineartronic. It's nice that each of the three Japanese competitors offers an impressive array of active and passive safety features by default.
The modification with the 2.5 engine immediately elevates the Toyota RAV4 to the "peak of success" - its initial configuration "Elegance Plus" is in sixth position out of eight possible, appearing in the SUV price list. From this inexorably follows a weighty price tag of 1,470,000 rubles. and appropriately generous equipment, which includes leather interior, xenon, engine start button, power driver's seat and other joys of life.
Subaru Forester with a 2.5 engine can be divided into two "subspecies": the most affordable - 2.5i-L and advanced - 2.5i-S. Among the differences between the “eski” are the sporty design of the front bumper, larger alloy wheels, aluminum pedals, and gearshift paddles. In total, the 2.5i-L and 2.5i-S have seven equipment levels in stock. In order not to drown in details, in the review we have given the features of three trim levels - CB, NS and GR. The minimum cost is 1,419,000 rubles, but the 2.5i-S version, more befitting the Forester status, with a leather interior, keyless entry and engine start with a button, is available for at least 1,550,000 rubles.
Subaru Forester offers the largest selection of trim levels
In the context of our trio, the Honda CR-V offers the most affordable entrance ticket for 1,299,000 rubles. In total, there are four complete sets in the clip. With the exception of perhaps a couple of nuances, the starting version of Elegance can be a good choice for a “reasonable egoist”. Do you want more, and are you not particularly worried about the extra charge of 160,000 rubles? You can try on the level of equipment of the Executive, which is not devoid of sybaritic notes.
Verdict
Editor:
− It is not easy to place such dissimilar competitors on the steps of the pedestal! The Subaru Forester is mostly geared towards country roads and light off-road, the Honda CR-V will delight gourmet drivers on good asphalt, the RAV4 SUV, as usual, has a good balance of consumer and driving qualities. Moreover, each of the three cars offers an approximately equal number of options for a certain amount. And yet I would venture to arrange the opponents in the specified sequence. In the first place is the Subaru Forester - the “forester” in the latest edition turned out to be very successful and multifaceted. In second position is the Honda CR-V. Toyota RAV4 is not so reckless in driving, it is also let down by not the highest quality of finishing materials.
Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester are considered cars from different classes. After conducting their comparison test, we are ready to convince you otherwise.
The closer the day of the comparative test came, the more often we encountered misunderstanding from those who knew about it. Some tried to dissuade us, others twisted their fingers to their heads, others considered it a gamble. But none of the opponents of the event was able to clearly define why the two cars cannot be compared. The arguments were different, but none convinced us. On the contrary, the determination to carry out the plan became stronger and stronger. And that day has come.
This time everything worked out perfectly. The comparison turned out to be absolutely correct. Both cars were about the same cost, about 35-000 dollars. They had similar in volume 2.0-liter engines. They were about the same length: Forester is 11 centimeters longer than RAV4. Yes, and the wheelbase is similar: Toyota has a distance between the axles of 3.5 centimeters more. The difference was only in the curb weight: the RAV4 (it also looks more massive) is 95 kilograms heavier than the Forester in curb condition. In general, even before we started sea trials, we already understood that these two cars are the same.
They were the same in appearance. Of course, the RAV4 is slightly taller, which naturally makes the profile of the cars different, but as soon as they stood side by side, it became clear that they practically had the same face. At first, we were even taken aback: we had not seen such a similarity in cars of different brands for a long time. That's what it means to put two cars side by side! But the most interesting was ahead.
To begin with, we compared the cars from the inside. The first was the RAV4. We press the key on the door handle (the label, and this is how you can now call the key fob, which allows you to do without a key, is in your pocket), the central lock works, and ... we discover the world of high technology. Hi-tech all around, from the instrument panel to the center console. The impression is strong. The abundance of keys, displays, aluminum inserts and bizarre shapes is amazing. At first, it is generally difficult to figure out what is what and what is responsible for what. After some time, you begin to understand that the top row of the center console is reserved exclusively for the audio system, the lower tier is the air conditioning system, and even lower are the additional control keys for seat heating, the downhill assist activation system (there is one) and heated wipers. But all this, we repeat, does not fit in the head right away. I was surprised that the button with which the readings of the trip computer are switched is located directly on the instrument panel. Passing a hand through the steering wheel is not very handy. And if during parking it is simply inconvenient, then it is dangerous while driving. In general, the dashboard and instrument panel on the RAV4 are insanely interesting in terms of design.
Forester in this regard, of course, is more modest. There is no such riot of fantasy here, but the salon is not deprived of style. Classic is always classic. It is understandable, comfortable, beautiful, especially if it is made of materials of appropriate quality. Everything is simple and clear here. Everything is in its place, and there is no need to look away from the road to understand where, say, a handle is located, with which you can reduce or increase the blowing temperature. A short glance - and the hand is already where it needs to be.
Both the first and the second car have plenty of space in the cabins, but in the RAV4 there is more of it due to a more vertical landing (in this regard, by the way, it is higher), besides, the rear row of seats is also adjustable here: you can move the seats forward or change the inclination of the backrest and settle in more comfortably. The Forester's second row of seats doesn't have as much customization options, but it's still nice to have on a long trip.
As for the trunks, they are almost equal in volume, with the only difference being that the Forester has it extended in length, while the RAV4 has it in height. Subaru can absorb 390 liters, and Toyota - 450, however, provided that the second-row seats are moved closer to the front. If they are pushed back as much as possible, the cargo volume decreases by 50 liters. The loading height is also approximately the same level, however, it is still more convenient to load and unload things in the Forester. The fact is that its fifth door opens up, while the RAV4 opens to the side, and towards the sidewalk. This means that in order to put something into the car from the side of the road, you have to bypass the door. Such is the "legacy" of the right-hand drive.
And on the move, the cars showed similar characters. Toyota is noisier than the Forester, and this noise comes not only from the engine, but also from the wheel arches, which is strange: we drove the previous generation RAV4 more than once and did not remember this phenomenon. Apparently, the reason is precisely in the possibilities of adjusting the position of the rear seats. Between the seatback and the pillar, you can safely put your hand into the trunk, so that the backrest is not an obstacle to the noise coming from the luggage compartment. In the Forester, the trunk is securely insulated by the seat back and curtain, and the sound from the rear wheel arches is almost inaudible.
Both Toyota and Subaru, without much effort, gained a “hundred” in twelve seconds and, without straining, could easily keep a fairly high speed. By the way, according to the passport of both cars, the maximum speed is 170 km / h with a tail. The handling of cars on a country road is about the same level, RAV4 is somewhat sharper.
However, we were more interested in the off-road section of the run. Moreover, unlike the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 allows you to rigidly lock the center differential, which means that its cross-country ability should be much better. It should, but, as reality has shown, it turned out to be not much better. In any case, any section that was overcome by Toyota, Subaru passed just as easily and naturally. Unless with the lock turned on, Toyota was a little easier to take off. And so...
In general, as our test showed, these two cars can be safely put on the scales when choosing. And in which direction there will be an advantage, it depends solely on your personal preferences for one or another Japanese brand.
Specifications Toyota RAV4 // Subaru Forester
Curb weight, kg - 1505 // 1410
Gross weight, kg - 2110 // 1685
Dimensions, mm:
- length - 4395 // 4485
- width - 1815 // 1735
- height - 1685 // 1590
Base, mm - 2560 // 2525
Trunk volume, l - 450 // 390
Maximum speed, km / h - 175 // 178
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s – 12.0 // 11.9
Control fuel consumption (combined cycle), l / 100 km - 9.1 // 7.7
Fuel tank volume, l - 60 // 50
Engine:
- type - in-line, 4-cylinder. // boxer, 4-cyl.
- working volume, cm3 - 1998 // 1994
— power, h.p. at min-1 - 152/6000 // 158/5600
- torque, Nm at min-1 - 195/4000 // 186/4400
Transmission - automatic, 4-speed
Tire size - 205/70R16 // 215/60R16
Wheel suspension (front and rear) - independent
Brakes (front / rear) - disc, ventilated / disc
Steering - rack and pinion, with power steering
Price, $ - 37,800 // 36,930.
Advantages and disadvantages
Toyota RAV4
+ High-torque motor, locking in the center differential.
– Insufficient soundproofing, complex center console.
Subaru Forester
+ Power mode for automatic transmission, symmetrical all-wheel drive, good sound insulation.
- Lack of adjustment in the rear row of seats.
Who has won?
Ceteris paribus, both of these cars are able to satisfy those ambitions, which are present in a potential buyer. The only difference is that the Toyota RAV4 is a completely new car, and the Subaru Forester is a restyling of a 2002 car. What exactly to choose depends only on your preferences for one or another brand.
What could be better than a review of two Japanese cars with a noble history? Subaru Forester or Toyota Rav 4? We will conduct a detailed comparison and find out which car is worth buying.
Exterior
Both SUVs released new versions of their models in 2013, and in 2016 each manufacturer showed restyled versions. The appearance of both turned out to be ambiguous and made car owners more than once remember the kind word of the designers of the companies.
The exterior of the Rav 4, released in 2013, was received extremely critically. Of course, any change in habitual appearance takes time. But with Toyota, things were more complicated. The appearance turned out to be unassembled and even feminine, while customers expected brutality.
Restyling in 2016 tried to reverse this idea by changing certain features of the exterior. Objectively, the body has not undergone a large-scale modernization, but individual elements, such as bumpers, headlights, a radiator grill and stamping of certain parts, have changed the design for the better.
There are more sharp aggressive lines. The head optics are now represented by LED headlights with an adaptive light system. The appearance became more balanced, but the new look still took some getting used to.
The opponent seems to have the opposite situation. The 2013 Forester was more expressive than the updated model. Although there were few changes in 2016, restyling has lost its former aggression.
The fact is that the Subaru Forester, which has a rally suspension, has tremendous potential (we will discuss this later), and many expected that its “rally” will be traced in appearance. But seeing him on the road, absolutely no emotions arise.
He is fresh. There is not the slightest hint of the title of leader. Moreover, the inflated shape of the cab does not even allow you to notice that the SUV has the highest ground clearance in the class - 220 mm.
The rounded body visually hides this advantage. However, the new Forester is attractive and friendly. Its design looks complete, though not catchy.
Interior, options and trunk
Toyota Rav4 is a comfortable and spacious crossover. Seats, both the first and second row are very comfortable. They do not have a pronounced relief and stylish lines that add elegance to the design, but they are comfortable to sit in.
Unlike the Forester, Toyota's ergonomics are not perfect. The buttons seem to be scattered around the cabin, and an attempt to find a tool to control one or another option will resemble a small quest.
The dashboard design isn't modern, but it's not primitive either. Although some buttons are reminiscent of the last century. Plastic inserts under the tree look undignified. In more expensive versions, an 8-inch display is located on the center console, which does not have a high response rate. But the car has a fully equipped winter package, where there is heating even at the back of the rear sofa.
Salon Subaru Forester is even more conservative. The materials used for finishing are very high quality and neat. But you will not find original lines or fresh modern solutions in design.
Ergonomics of the car at height! All controls are in place and within easy reach. On the center console there are 2 displays at once. The upper one is responsible for information content, and the second one is for the multimedia system and navigation. The speed of work will please you.
Although there is no less space in the second row than in the Rav 4 2017, the car still feels very compact. But that doesn't make it any less comfortable. At the back you will find climate control buttons, and the almost absent central tunnel will allow a third passenger to sit.
The trunk of Toyota is definitely larger: 577 liters. against 505 for Subaru. Under the floor of both is a stowaway. If you don't have enough room for your hunting or fishing gear, you can always lower the second row of seats.
Now for the options. The undisputed leader at this stage is Rav 4. In comparison with Forester 2017, the opponent has more options and requires less money for them. Think about it: Subaru's light and rain sensors are only available starting with the "S Limited" package, which costs more than 2 million. And the system for monitoring blind spots and movement in the lane is available only in cars from 2,189,000 rubles.
Meanwhile, Toyota offers light and rain sensors already in trim levels for one and a half million. And the maximum version for 2,058 thousand rubles contains not only object detection systems in blind spots and assistance when driving in the lane, but also 4 cameras with a 360-degree view, as well as parking sensors, which, by the way, you will not find in Subaru for what money. And this is extremely sad! But if you have already begun to criticize the Forester, wait. Rest assured, the new Subaru will be bought, because its main advantage is not at all in the options.
Controllability
Crossovers began to be produced at every turn. It is no longer so easy to determine: where a car can really overcome obstacles with dignity, and where all-wheel drive is just a marketing ploy that has no basis. Therefore, when comparing Forester and Rav4, it is necessary to find out whether they are worthy of wearing the “AWD” nameplate on their body.
In short, the Forester, unlike the Rav 4, is not a crossover, but a real SUV! Moreover, the CVT does not at all prevent him from conquering peaks from various coatings. The maximum configurations are equipped with the X MODE system, which brings all the components of the car into off-road mode. You don’t have to worry too much about the clutch, because it has the same cooling circuit as the variator. Therefore, you will not experience rapid overheating, as, for example, on the new CX-5 (see comparison of Mazda CX 5 and Toyota Rav 4).
The Subaru's off-road ability was also influenced by the symmetrical all-wheel drive, which evenly distributes traction on both sides, the boxer engine, which shifted the center of gravity, and the car's light weight. Due to this, he confidently rushes to any surface and easily gets out of it. The only problem is the plastic protection under the bottom. Therefore, rushing under snags or into pits, you should be careful.
Forester's suspension can be safely called rally. Even at high speeds, it gently and quickly overcomes bumps. However, the weak point of the car is acceleration. Due to the variator, the dynamics are almost trolleybus. But the gas pedal is too sharp, and in order to slowly move a short distance (for example, while parking), jewelry accuracy is required. At the same time, there is no parking sensors in the car.
As for the Toyota Rav 4 2016-2017, the main achievement of the restyled version was the improvement of the suspension. If we compare it with the previous model, where the chassis was extremely sensitive to bumps, the new modification managed to increase the smoothness and energy intensity, but at the same time did not lose the sharpness of control.
Perhaps Rav 4 is even more convenient for urban conditions, but the Forester is definitely the off-road crawl! Rejoice, subarists!
Prices and equipment
As of March 2018, the new Forester was offered with 3 types of units:
- 2.0 l. 150 hp;
- 2.5 l. 171 hp;
- Turbocharged 2-liter engine with 241 hp.
At the same time, the first two types of motors are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT to choose from. The turbocharged 2-liter engine comes exclusively with a CVT. The initial cost of the SUV is 1,659 thousand rubles. A modification with a 2.5 liter engine can be bought for 2,189,900 rubles, and the maximum configuration will cost you 2,599,900 rubles.
Toyota also comes to the market with 3 types of engines:
- Two-liter capacity of 146 hp;
- 150-horsepower diesel engine with a volume of 2.2 liters;
- 2.5 liter with 180 hp
Models with a 2-liter engine can be equipped with a 6-speed manual or a CVT. The owners of this modification also had a choice between 4x2 and 4x4 wheelbase types. The other two versions have only 4 × 4 and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The cost of the initial version starts from 1,499 thousand rubles, and the maximum - from 2,209 thousand rubles. However, this is still 400,000 rubles. cheaper than the opponent.
What's better?
Subaru is an excellent cross-country car, but its appearance does not allow it to stand out from the crowd, and the set of options does not justify the high cost. If you like to travel, go hunting and fishing, and the path to your dacha runs through impenetrable mud, you need a Forester.
But if you're on a tight budget and city trips when deciding what to pick, get the Rav 4. And don't underestimate Toyota's off-road capabilities. This off-road car will surpass many modern crossovers. But Subaru's rally suspension is hard to beat.
Your decision will depend on the type of road surface, priorities and financial possibilities. Therefore, what is better - to choose, in the end, is for you.
Can two companies, whose annual turnover differs by dozens of times, offer an equally interesting and equivalent product in terms of its consumer characteristics? The question is complex and many will probably answer it in the negative. But after all, no one will deny that Subaru, a small company by world standards, which produces a little more than 500,000 cars a year, competes very successfully in some market segments with the giant Toyota, which has long been considered the number one car manufacturer in the world. Take at least crossovers and. On our roads they are equally common. But which one is better?
Exterior and interior
The Toyota RAV4 crossover has always been considered. It just so happened that Toyota designers offered motorists smooth lines and a calm appearance. All this seemed not very attractive to men, but the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity liked it. However, when working on the appearance of the latest generation Toyota RAV4, Toyota decided on a real revolution. Feminine lines have been replaced by sharp corners and pronounced edges. So from now on, Toyota RAV4 is perfect not only for women, but also for men. No wonder the latter behind the wheel has recently become much more.
Crossover Toyota RAV4
But the Subaru Forester was unambiguous in previous generations. And now even more so. And it's not to say that Forester impresses with some bright or aggressive solutions. Not at all. His appearance is Japanese restrained. However, in this restraint, literally from the very first seconds of acquaintance with the Japanese crossover, strength and confidence are felt. And potential buyers of the Subaru Forester will be pleased to hear that this year the crossover has been updated a bit. But it’s better not to look for external differences from the pre-styling model. You won't find.
All differences are within. Most Forester buyers have complained that the interior of the car looks too modest. That is why during the update the Japanese tried to make it more interesting. As a result, Forester got a new three-spoke steering wheel and silver edging air ducts. Not to say that all this radically transformed the interior of the "forester", but it really looked prettier. As for the ease of use of controls and ergonomics in general, the Subaru Forester had no problems with this before.
Subaru Forester interior
Toyota RAV4 is different inside. If in the Forester the center console is a simple vertical plane, then in the Toyota RAV4 a much more interesting two-story architecture is used. Good and stylish steering wheel with three spokes. However, the Subaru Forester is no worse. Both are approximately at the same level in terms of the quality of finishing materials. If desired, hard plastic can be found in each of the cars. So the volumes of production are volumes, but so far we have to admit that both crossovers are very worthy rivals to each other.
Toyota Rav4 interior
There is plenty of space in the back of the Toyota RAV4. Even those passengers whose height is close to two meters will be quite comfortable on the second row of seats in a Japanese crossover. The situation is absolutely the same in the rear seats of the Subaru Forester. And there is nothing surprising in this, since both crossovers differ in their dimensions by just a couple of centimeters. The Toyota RAV4 is 4570mm long, while the Forester is just 25mm longer. But in terms of trunk volume, Toyota RAV4 is several tens of liters ahead - 547 liters versus 505 for Subaru. Toyota RAV4 will be in the lead even if the rear seatbacks are folded down. Although in this case, it is unlikely that it will be possible to notice the difference with the naked eye. The Subaru will increase the luggage compartment to 1577 liters, while the RAV4 will have about 30 liters more for things.
Roomy interior Toyota-RAV4
Specifications Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester
The basic versions of Japanese crossovers will have a two-liter gasoline engine under the hood, which in the case of the Subaru will develop 150 horsepower, and in the case of the Toyota RAV4, 4 “horses” less. That's just, if the most affordable Toyota will have a manual gearbox and drive only to the front wheels, then the Subaru Forester after the update for its customers does not offer “mechanics” in principle. As well as front-wheel drive. Only CVT and only all-wheel drive. However, as is often the case, there is one small snag. Subaru is more expensive. The base Forester costs the same as a Toyota RAV4 with a CVT and all-wheel drive. And now the comparison between the two crossovers seems quite correct. In addition, these versions are the most popular in our market.
Up to one hundred kilometers per hour, Toyota RAV4 with 2.0 under the hood, CVT and four leads accelerates slowly by modern standards - in 11.3 seconds. However, the Subaru Forester is even slower. It spends 11.8 seconds to accelerate to hundreds. In terms of fuel efficiency, the Toyota RAV4 again, albeit slightly, wins - 9.4 l / 100 km in urban conditions versus 10.6 l / 100 km for the Forester. But on the highway, both crossovers show exactly the same appetite of 6.3 l / 100 km.
For those motorists who are not impressed with the dynamics of a two-liter engine, both Japanese companies offer 2.5-liter power units. On the Subaru Forester, the boxer “four” develops 171 horsepower, and on the Toyota RAV4, the 2.5 engine is nine more “horses” more powerful. But this time there will be no torment of choice between the type of drive and the gearbox. Both cars will be all-wheel drive. The only difference is that the RAV4 will be with an “automatic”, and the Forester will be with a CVT. Once again, Toyota is a little faster. The first hundred "rafik" will be ready to exchange in 9.4 seconds after the start. Subaru Forester is exactly half a second slower. However, it is quite easy to forgive this small loss, if you do not forget that in the city for every hundred kilometers the Forester will consume 10.9 liters of fuel, and the Toyota RAV4 will already burn 11.4 liters.
For Subaru Forester fans, that's it. More powerful, as well as diesel power units, are not offered for crossovers that are sold on our market. But "Toyota" ventured to offer in our country another interesting option - whose engine, with a volume of 2.2 liters, develops 150 horsepower. And now attention! With a diesel engine, the Japanese crossover picks up the first hundred kilometers per hour in exactly 10 seconds, and with the same power gasoline engine, the Toyota RAV4 does the same exercise in 11.3 seconds. That is, the diesel crossover outright wins in terms of dynamics from the gasoline version identical in power. Including the maximum speed - 185 against 180 kilometers per hour. So after that, call diesel cars slow-moving.
Video: Subaru Forester 2013 - Big test drive
In motion, both crossovers delight with absolutely predictable behavior in any conditions. The only difference is that the Subaru Forester is more geared towards gambling driving, while Toyota engineers relied on comfort when setting up the suspension and steering of the RAV4. The steering in it is slightly less informative and is in no hurry to convey to the driver absolutely all the information about what is happening with the car. And this is quite consistent with the image inherent in the cars of each brand. Toyota is peace of mind behind the wheel and the notorious Japanese reliability, Subaru is cars with “pepper”, covered with the glory of past sports victories.
Well, which of the pair of Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester can be called the winner in this fight? Nobody. Draw! In some ways, the RAV4 looks a little more preferable, and in some ways, the Subaru Forester breaks ahead on the floor of the hull. And it is this fact that clearly indicates that small car companies not only have the right to exist, but in some areas they may well teach the world's giants. For ordinary motorists, this is only better. They have a choice. It remains only to decide what is best for you - to support Toyota and its 350,000 employees, or to contribute to the development of Subaru, which employs only 12,000 people.
