The Subaru Forester is one of the most well-rounded and appealing compact crossovers in the industry's most competitive class. It offers comfortable accommodations, ample cargo space, standard Subaru EyeSight® safety technologies, and real four-season capability. And with features like Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive and X-MODE advanced traction control, it can venture where many class competitors can't.
While the compact crossover segment offers no shortage of options for your Long Island drives, the Subaru Forester delivers a complete package that's tough to match. Here's a quick look at how it measures up in a few important areas to another long-running segment competitor, the Toyota RAV4.
Interior
While both models offer comfortable accommodations, the Subaru Forester offers one of the segment's roomiest cabins, with 112 cubic feet of passenger volume. Compared to the Toyota RAV4's 98.8 cubic feet, the difference translates to more headroom, legroom, shoulder room, and overall comfort, especially for longer road trips.
The Subaru Forester also makes it easier to access desirable comfort and convenience-enhancing amenities. By stepping up just one level to the second-tier Premium trim, Sayville drivers can add features like a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, proximity keyless entry, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. These amenities all cost more in the Toyota RAV4.
Utility
Cargo space is one of the primary reasons for choosing an SUV. While you'll get plenty of storage in either crossover, the Subaru Forester has the edge in this matchup, offering a standard max cargo capacity of 74.2 cubic feet compared to the Toyota RAV4's 69.8 cubic feet.
For larger items that don't fit inside the vehicle, the Forester provides additional cargo options with raised roof rails as standard equipment for all but the base trim. The highly capable and adventure-ready Wilderness trim gets a fixed ladder-type roof rack. With a static load limit of 800 pounds, it's ideal for a rooftop tent. The Toyota RAV4 only offers raised roof rails on two of its specialty trims.
Performance
The Subaru Forester comes standard with Subaru's advanced Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, giving you surefooted capability in inclement conditions or when going off-road. Additionally, all but the base Forester trim include an advanced X-MODE traction management system with hill-descent control. And with the Wilderness trim, you can maximize the Forester's rugged capability with a dual-function X-MODE system, Yokohama GEOLANDAR all-terrain tires, skid plates, raised suspension, and more.
The RAV4's all-wheel-drive system is only standard on two trim levels, and it isn't as adept beyond the asphalt. Additionally, while both models equip a full suite of advanced safety features, the Forester comes standard with steering-adaptive headlights and offers a DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System as an option. The RAV4 doesn't offer these features.
Test-Drive a New Subaru Forester near Smithville and Brentwood
Get in touch with Riverhead Bay Subaru today for more information about the Subaru Forester's available features, special financing opportunities, and reservation/ordering options. If you'd like to explore any of the new Subaru models in our inventory, we welcome you to visit our Long Island Subaru dealership, where you can take one for a test drive. We'll be happy to show you around.
