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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#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

jeffmc (Feb 13, 2007 1:24 am)
- ateixeira (Feb 13, 2007 8:09 am)

B Pillar.JPG
0x0 (17kb)

#547 of 617: B-pillar on Forester by tazereli; Feb 12, 2007 (9:17 am)

Does that apply to all years of forester or specific years?

Thanks,
Kyle

ateixeira (Feb 12, 2007 9:27 am)

#548 of 617: Re: B-pillar on Forester [tazereli] by ateixeira; Feb 12, 2007 (9:27 am)

Replying to: tazereli (Feb 12, 2007 9:17 am)

MY2003 and later. Even though it didn't seem like a big change to the exterior, the structure was new. They also went with aluminum bumper beams front and rear, plus aluminum roof rails, to lighten up and toughen up the structure.

Prior models did well on crash tests compared to others in the class at the time, but the 03 model really shined in both NHTSA and IIHS crash tests.

-juice

#549 of 617: Re: Roll Protection [ateixeira] by jeffmc; Feb 13, 2007 (1:24 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 12, 2007 8:45 am)

And despite its low center of gravity, Forester actually has more ground clearance than the RAV.

Here are Edmunds' specs to compare the Forester Sports 2.5 X vs. the RAV4 Sport 4-cyl.
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison?basestyleid=100832443&- styleid=100777084&maxvehicles=5&refid=&op=3&tab=specsRAV4 excels primarily in rear seat room.

ateixeira (Feb 13, 2007 8:09 am)

#550 of 617: Re: Roll Protection [jeffmc] by ateixeira; Feb 13, 2007 (8:09 am)

Replying to: jeffmc (Feb 13, 2007 1:24 am)

Yeah, Toyota actually produces a short wheelbase RAV4 for Europe, and that model is more equivalent to the current Forester. They probably will not bring it here, as the Matrix is supposed to grow to fill that gap. Plus they have the new xB 2.4l.

Of course the new Impreza is about to come out, and then the new Forester should arrive next spring. We'll see what Subaru does in terms of size. Lots of people actually want it small, and don't want it to grow.

I wouldn't mind them building 2 wheelbases, like Toyota does, and selling them both here. A SWB sporty one, and a LWB people mover.

-juice

#551 of 617: Spare tire by mizumi; Feb 26, 2007 (12:21 pm)

Hi,

I'm trying to decide between the XT Sport and the Rav4 V6 sport, and am torn between them. I do like the fact that the Rav4 comes with a full size spare. My question is, can I fit a full size spare under the foam compartment that the temp spare is currently in on the XT?

Thanks in advance!

ateixeira (Feb 26, 2007 12:59 pm)
- kavoom (Feb 26, 2007 5:51 pm)
  - ateixeira (Feb 27, 2007 7:57 am)

#552 of 617: Re: Spare tire [mizumi] by ateixeira; Feb 26, 2007 (12:59 pm)

Replying to: mizumi (Feb 26, 2007 12:21 pm)

All indications are that yes, it will fit.

I did this with our 2002 Legacy - put a full size spare and removed the foam insert.

06 was just a face-lift, and the 05s had full size spares of the exact same size.

-juice