Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4

617 messages, Last post on Nov 05, 2008 at 2:00 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, SUV

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#538 of 617: Re: forester and outback [fjhandir] by jeffmc; Dec 09, 2006 (5:07 pm)

Replying to: fjhandir (Dec 08, 2006 8:53 pm)

A few random thoughts: Forester's cargo area is very useful... its square shape works well for packing large things in there. I think Outback has a nicer interior, more rear seat room, a smoother (& slightly quieter) ride, and more actual cargo volume. I'm able to haul 8-foot lumber with the rear gate closed in my '04 OB. Forester's got the SUV looks, maybe a bit more nimble maneuvering, and a useful-sized cargo area. Forester looks & feels more dated to me. We've got an OB & Legacy, have friends with Foresters... everyone's happy with their choices, so either way you're not going wrong. My pick is the OB, mostly for comfort reasons. I'd much rather be in my OB on a long road trip.

terry92270 (Dec 09, 2006 6:15 pm)
- ateixeira (Dec 11, 2006 7:18 am)
  - leo2633 (Jan 10, 2007 6:35 am) and 1 more...

#539 of 617: Re: forester and outback [jeffmc] by terry92270; Dec 09, 2006 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: jeffmc (Dec 09, 2006 5:07 pm)

I have a Forester, and have to agree with you. The only change I would make to mine would be to get the L L Bean edition for the leather seats, etc. Other than that, the OB is slightly larger, a little plusher, but the Forester I think, has more usable storage, and handles just a bit better in the mountains.

ateixeira (Dec 11, 2006 7:18 am)
- leo2633 (Jan 10, 2007 6:35 am)
  - ateixeira (Jan 10, 2007 6:47 pm)

#540 of 617: Re: forester and outback [terry92270] by ateixeira; Dec 11, 2006 (7:18 am)

Replying to: terry92270 (Dec 09, 2006 6:15 pm)

We have a '98 Forester and an '02 Legacy. I prefer the Forester, it's more nimble and has more character.

The Legacy is fine, but compared to the Forester it's a bit boring.

-juice

leo2633 (Jan 10, 2007 6:35 am)
- ateixeira (Jan 10, 2007 6:47 pm)

#541 of 617: Re: Forester on snow and Ice [paisan] by lostwrench; Jan 09, 2007 (4:02 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Nov 29, 2006 2:04 am)

I agree. ANY car will spin on ice.

#542 of 617: Re: forester and outback [ateixeira] by leo2633; Jan 10, 2007 (6:35 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 11, 2006 7:18 am)

We have a 2001 Forester and a 2003 Outback. I feel more claustrophobic in the front seats of the OB, for some reason, despite its larger dimensions. I prefer driving the Forester, and find the height of its cargo area a bit more useful (for me). The OB definitely has a quieter, smoother ride, though.

Len

ateixeira (Jan 10, 2007 6:47 pm)

#543 of 617: Re: forester and outback [leo2633] by ateixeira; Jan 10, 2007 (6:47 pm)

Replying to: leo2633 (Jan 10, 2007 6:35 am)

The Forester's windshield is farther away. The high roof really creates an airy, bright cabin.

-juice

#545 of 617: RAV4s and rollovers (re-visited?) by holly4; Feb 12, 2007 (7:02 am)

Sorry about that empty post...I hit 'enter', instead of 'tab'.

I know that this was touched on earlier (years ago?). I just found this site today, after having an accident in my 2002 RAV4 yesterday. I live just outside of the city and crashed after hitting a patch of blowing snow. Sure, I obviously underestimated the patch of snow, but by the account of the witness and a comment made by the police officer, the accident wouldn't have happened if I was in a vehicle with a lower centre of gravity. The other comment was that he 'heard' that RAVs have a problem with rollovers.

My dog and I are both okay and it could have been much, much, worse.

I wanted to re-introduce this topic to see if others are aware of this issue (if it is one) with the RAVs and to say that, if they write it off, I am certainly looking at the Subaru Forester (I am not sure I can feel safe again in the RAV.)

Any and all comments appreciated. Thanks.

#546 of 617: Roll Protection by ateixeira; Feb 12, 2007 (8:45 am)

Some factors I see here...

The new RAV4 models have stability control, and that might help prevent something like that from happening.

The exception is a situation where the model is "tripped", i.e. when it hits a curb or something and that triggers the roll, in those cases VSC really won't help at all, unless it intervenes and prevents you from hitting the object, or at least reduces your speed.

Your situation seems to fall under that type of scenario, i.e. it was tripped and the ground was slippery so traction was limited, so let's look at other things.

The new model has a longer wheelbase and weighs more, so it would take more energy and probably higher turning angles to trip the newer models. Not sure about the center of gravity, though, we would need more data. It sure does look tall.

Toyota still registers the RAV4 as a truck, so it doesn't have to meet the roof crush standards that apply to cars (specifically, a car's roof must be able to hold up 150% of the car's own weight).

That doesn't mean it doesn't meet the standards, only that it doesn't have to. Again, we probably need more data to make a judgement on whether or not there is extra protection compared to the 2002 model you drove.

Side curtain air bags are available, and in that situation I'd rather have those, too.

Now, looking at the Forester, Subaru has not yet installed side curtain air bags, but it does have side head/torso air bags that protect the driver's head (but not the rear seat passenger).

The Cross Sports model has stability control, but others don't. I'd recommend that model for you.

The B-pillar Subaru uses is so ridiculously sturdy that firemen actually complained to them that the "jaws of life" tools they have on crash sites was not able to cut through them. If I were to roll a vehicle on its side, I'd certainly want that kind of protection from side intrusion as well as keeping the roof from caving in. I'll post a pic below of the B-pillar in question.

It's naturally much lower to the ground, and more inherently stable. So yes, I think if fear of a roll over is a big concern, the natural choice would be the Subaru.

Please keep in mind that the likelihood is actually very miniscule, and that driving at safe speeds for existing conditions is what's really needed to ultimately guarantee your safety.

-juice