Between the Subaru Forester Wilderness and the Toyota RAV4 TRD, Who Wins?
Two of 2022’s best off-roading compact SUVs go head-to-head in a road test, but there can only be one winner.
Written by Allison Stone
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
High gas prices be damned, American drivers just can’t resist the small
SUV
. Compact SUVs offer more roominess than a sedan and more edge than a minivan, and many models tend to be great for overlanding
, or a form of extended road-tripping, particularly to off-road destinations. In an increasingly crowded segment, it can be hard to decide between models, so that’s why the car ownership experts at Jerry have broken it down for you.
Forbes
got to test both of these cars first-hand, so read on as we compare two of the standout off-roading SUVs of 2022, the Subaru Forester Wilderness and the Toyota RAV4 TRD.The Subaru Forester Wilderness
On regular pavement, the Subaru Forester boasts nimble steering and snappy acceleration but loses to the RAV4 when it comes to suspension. Not only did the Forester let in more road noise, but the ride itself was jumpy and the interior squeaked and rattled with every maneuver.
In an off-roading test, the Forester Wilderness made light work of rutted mud and over moderate obstacles thanks to its lofty 9.2 inches of ground clearance.
The Forester Wilderness also comes standard with a full suite of features that would be perfect for your next offroading adventure or camping trip.
Enjoy a full-size spare, hexagonal LED fogs, a front-facing trail cam, a standard rear-hatch LED light, and a roof rack that can hold 800 pounds standing. The Forester Wilderness has a towing capacity of 3,000 lbs and offers 69.1 cubic feet of cargo space.
The interior of the Forester Wilderness is a little more spacious than the RAV4’s but loses points in interior comfort and infotainment capabilities.
The Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road
The RAV4 is not quite as nimble as the Wilderness on the track, and the steering feels somewhat heavy and sluggish when compared to Subaru’s. The trade-off is better shock absorption and a quiet, serene cabin ride.
The RAV4 also didn’t handle quite as well in the off-roading test, losing points in part due to its lower ground clearance of 8.6 inches.
In terms of utility, the RAV4 does win some points over the Forester in a heftier towing capacity with a maximum of 3,500 lbs.
The RAV4 TRD off-road also has a standard 120V outlet in the rear cargo area, allowing for convenient device charging and powering of campground equipment.
While the Wilderness wins out in overall space, with all seats in place, the RAV4 has a much roomier rear hold. The RAV4’s cabin is also a bit lusher than Subaru’s, making for a more comfortable and luxurious ride overall.
Which one is the better buy?
While the RAV4 TRD Off-Road may best the Forester Wilderness in some categories, it also comes at a $6,000 higher price tag between the two models tested.
The TRD starts with a higher base price of $38,130, and any extra options will start to add up quickly. Even with all of the bells and whistles, the Subaru lands in the mid-30s at most. If you’re making your decision based on performance for the value, the Forester Wilderness wins.
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4.7
