7.9
2025 Subaru Forester review
Subaru has dusted off the STI badge for a new special-edition Forester, but it's not everything it's cracked up to be.
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Max Davies
2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Toyota RAV4 Comparison
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
2023 Subaru
Forester
vs
2024 Toyota
RAV4
Select Variants...
How they stack...
CarExpert Score
CarExpert has rated other vehicles in the suv medium category, between scores of 7.2 and 8.8.
0.0
7.9
8.3
0.0
Based on the Subaru Forester 2.5i-S (AWD) STI SPORT
Based on the Toyota RAV4 EDGE (AWD) HYBRID
Best suitable for...
Driving the family
Off-roading
Long distance drivingFuel Efficiency
48L - 63L
322 to 466 km
55L
264 to 385 km
ANCAP Safety Rating
Warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
5 year
warranty
warranty
Save with CarExpert
CarExpert's Take
Max Davies
Marketplace Journalist
Max Davies drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Quality, premium-leaning interior
- Sportier handling
- STI appears again...
Misses
- ...like this?
- Hardly a special edition
- Dreary CVT
Jack Quick
Assistant Production Editor
Jack Quick drove this car and these were their findings:
Hits
- Efficient hybrid powertrain
- Plenty of interior space
- Cheap servicing
Misses
- Droning petrol engine
- Slow, beeping power tailgate
- Orange highlights aren't for everyone
Standard Features
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | ||
| Wireless phone charger | ||
| Powered tailgate | ||
| Rear air vents | ||
| Adaptive cruise control | ||
| Climate control | ||
| Reversing sensors | ||
| Reversing camera | ||
| Autonomous emergency braking | ||
Colours Available
The 2023 Subaru Forester is available in the following exterior paint colours, depending on variant.
- Crystal White Pearl
- Ice Silver Metallic
- Brilliant Bronze Metallic
- Crimson Red Pearl
- Autumn Green Metallic
- Horizon Blue Pearl
- Cascade Green Silica
- Magnetite Grey Metallic
- Crystal Black Silica
- Sapphire Blue Pearl (NEW)
The Toyota RAV4 is available in nine different colours, however not all are available across all variants. The following are available on the Cruiser and GXL:
- Glacier White
- Crystal Pearl
- Silver Sky
- Graphite
- Atomic Rush (red)
- Eclipse Black
- Mineral Blue
- Saturn Blue
The GX misses out on Crystal Pearl. The XSE missed out on Crystal Pearl, Atomic Rush, Eclipse lack and Saturn Blue.
The top-spec Toyota RAV4 Edge misses out on the two white colours and Saturn Blue but it does get its own unique Jungle Khaki colour.
Premium paint is a $675 option.
A full list of colours for the 2022 range has yet to be announced.
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Ready To Buy
Specs
| Type | ||
| DIRECT FUEL INJ | DIRECT FUEL INJ | |
| Size (cc) | ||
| 1995 - 2498 | 1987 - 2487 | |
| Size (L) | ||
| 2.5L, 2.0L | 2.5L, 2.0L | |
| Induction | ||
| FLAT 4 | INLINE 4 | |
| Camshaft | ||
| DUAL OVERHEAD CAM | VARIABLE DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM | |
| Valves/Ports per Cylinder | ||
| 16 | 16 | |
| Power | ||
| 110kW - 136kW | 127kW - 152kW | |
| Power RPM | ||
| 5800 - 6000 | 5700 - 6600 | |
| Torque | ||
| 196Nm - 239Nm | 203Nm - 243Nm | |
| Torque RPM | ||
| 4000 - 4400 | 3600 - 4400 | |
| Bore Stroke | ||
| - | - | |
| Compression Ratio | ||
| 12.1 - 12.5 | 13 - 14 | |
