Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Forester
The RAV4 and Forester are perennial compact SUV favorites, both landing near $24,000 on the used market and appealing to buyers who want all-weather capability, fuel efficiency, and long-term reliability. Toyota and Subaru both boast loyal owner bases and strong resale values, making this one of the tightest head-to-head matchups in the segment. The devil is in the details — insurance rates, depreciation curves, and real-world fuel costs separate these two more than sticker price alone.
The RAV4 edges out the Forester primarily due to stronger resale value retention and marginally better fuel economy, resulting in roughly $1,200 less in five-year total ownership costs despite nearly identical purchase prices.
2022 Toyota RAV4
Winner- Best-in-class resale value keeps depreciation lower than most compact SUVs
- Proven 2.5L naturally aspirated engine has low long-term repair costs
- Widely available parts and technicians keep maintenance affordable
- Higher insurance premiums than the Forester due to higher theft rates
- Slightly pricier scheduled maintenance at dealers vs independent shops
- AWD system is an optional upgrade, base FWD resale is noticeably weaker
2022 Subaru Forester
- Standard Symmetrical AWD on every trim adds value without extra cost
- Lower insurance premiums thanks to favorable safety and theft-loss profile
- EyeSight safety suite standard, potentially reducing accident-related costs
- Depreciation is measurably steeper than RAV4 after year 3
- CVT transmission requires fluid changes more frequently and can be costly to replace
- Slightly worse fuel economy than RAV4 adds up over 60,000 miles
Category by category
The verdict
Over five years and 60,000 miles, the 2022 RAV4 costs approximately $3,000 less to own than the Forester when depreciation and fuel savings are factored together, making it the stronger financial choice for most buyers. However, the Forester's universally standard AWD and lower insurance premiums make it genuinely competitive and the smarter pick for drivers in high-snowfall states who prioritize traction without paying for an upgrade trim. Both are excellent long-term buys — your local insurance quote and your intended ownership duration should be the final tiebreakers.
Toyota RAV4: The RAV4 is best for the value-conscious buyer who plans to sell or trade within five years and wants the strongest possible resale return with low unplanned repair risk.
Subaru Forester: The Forester is best for the buyer who wants standard AWD on every single trim, lower insurance costs, and a slightly more upright driving position with excellent outward visibility.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to maintain, the RAV4 or Forester?
The RAV4 is slightly cheaper over five years — expect around $6,600 total vs $7,900 for the Forester, largely because the RAV4's conventional automatic transmission is less expensive to service than the Forester's CVT.
Does the RAV4 really hold its value better than the Forester?
Yes — Edmunds residual data consistently show the RAV4 retaining 5-7 percentage points more of its value at the five-year mark, which translates to roughly $1,500-$2,000 more at trade-in time from a $24,000 starting price.
Is the Subaru Forester more reliable than the RAV4?
No — the RAV4 scores higher on both J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability and Consumer Reports owner satisfaction surveys for the 2022 model year, though both vehicles are above average for their segment.
Which SUV is cheaper to insure in 2024?
The Forester is typically $150-$200 per year cheaper to insure nationally because the RAV4 has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the US, which raises comprehensive coverage premiums significantly.
Which is better in snow, the RAV4 or Forester?
The Forester has a practical edge because Symmetrical AWD is standard on every trim, while the RAV4 requires selecting an AWD-equipped trim; both systems perform well in snow, but the Forester's additional ground clearance (8.7 in vs 8.4 in) and standard AWD give it a slight real-world winter advantage.