If you want the most equipment and the stronger crash-test record, the Subaru Forester Hybrid is the pick. The Forester Premium Hybrid costs about $1,400 less than a comparable all-wheel-drive RAV4 SE and comes with a sunroof and a power liftgate as standard. But the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid uses less fuel, so after five years the two cost almost exactly the same, and the RAV4 has more cargo space and a 3,500 lb towing rating. This guide covers the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid and the 2027 Forester Hybrid, the models in our video.
Key takeaways
- The Forester Premium Hybrid costs about $1,400 less than a comparable RAV4 SE with a sunroof and power liftgate standard, but the two cost about the same over five years.
- The all-wheel-drive RAV4 gets up to 42 mpg combined against 35, about $1,500 less fuel over five years.
- The Forester has more rear legroom (39.4 vs 37.8 in); the RAV4 has more cargo space (37.8 vs 33.1 cu ft) and tows 3,500 lb.
- The 2026 Forester is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+; the new RAV4 has no award.
- The RAV4 edges our value score from the mid trims up, by one point.
Side by side
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (AWD) | 2027 Subaru Forester Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $33,300 (LE, AWD) | $34,730 (Premium) |
| Destination | $1,595 | $1,525 |
| Power | 236 hp | 194 hp |
| EPA combined mpg | up to 42 (Woodland 38) | 35 |
| Fuel cost a year (EPA) | $1,550 (Woodland $1,700) | $1,850 |
| Rear legroom | 37.8 in | 39.4 in |
| Cargo behind rear seat | 37.8 cu ft | 33.1 cu ft |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in (Woodland 8.5) | 8.7 in (Wilderness 9.3) |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb (AWD, SE and up) | not published for the hybrid |
| Touchscreen | 10.5 in (12.9 in XSE, Limited) | 11.6 in |
Prices are MSRP checked in October 2026, without destination, taxes or dealer fees. The RAV4 destination is $1,595 on current window stickers. Every Forester Hybrid has all-wheel drive, so every RAV4 here is all-wheel drive too; it adds about $1,400 on the lower RAV4 trims. The 2027 Forester Hybrid arrives at dealers this fall, and most 2026 Foresters on the lot carry the same prices.
Prices and trims
The Forester Hybrid comes in five trims: Premium $34,730, Sport $37,930, Limited $38,995, Wilderness $40,495 and Touring $41,545. The RAV4 now comes only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
| Round | Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (AWD) | Subaru Forester Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Entry | SE $36,100 | Premium $34,730 |
| 2. Mid | XLE Premium $37,500 | Sport $37,930 |
| 3. Off-road | Woodland $39,900 | Wilderness $40,495 |
| 4. Top | XSE $41,300 | Touring $41,545 |
Both cars pair a 2.5-liter engine with electric motors and a gearless automatic.
Fuel and range
The EPA rates the all-wheel-drive RAV4 at up to 42 mpg combined and the Forester Hybrid at 35. That is about $300 a year in fuel, or about $1,500 over five years, in the RAV4's favor. The Forester rating is the 2026 record; a 2027 rating was not posted when we checked. If you commute a long way, seven mpg adds up fast. For the lowest price on an all-wheel-drive hybrid, the RAV4 LE at $33,300 is about $1,400 below the Forester Premium Hybrid and about $2,900 lower over five years of price plus fuel, but you give up heated seats and a power seat.
Back seat, cargo and screens
The Forester is taller and slightly longer, and its boxy shape pays off in the back seat: 39.4 inches of rear legroom against 37.8, about one and a half inches more knee room. Cargo goes the other way: the RAV4 holds 37.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat and the Forester 33.1, almost five cubic feet less.
Every Forester Hybrid has an 11.6-inch touchscreen. Most RAV4s have 10.5 inches, and the XSE and Limited move up to 12.9. Both have a wide digital gauge display. The Forester has 8.7 inches of ground clearance against 8.1 for the RAV4.
Safety and recalls
Both have automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning on every trim. NHTSA has not crash-tested the new RAV4 yet. The 2025 Forester Hybrid got five stars overall.
At the IIHS, the 2026 Forester earned a Top Safety Pick+, with Good ratings in every crash test and Good headlights on every trim. The test was on the gas Forester, since the IIHS does not list the hybrid separately. The new RAV4 has no award listed yet. It scored Good in most tests but Acceptable in the updated frontal test, which also checks the rear passenger. On safety this is a clear win for the Subaru.
Recalls so far: one for the RAV4 Hybrid, a corrected weight label, and two for the 2026 Forester Hybrid, a label fix and a check of the sunroof glass. All are fixed free at the dealer. Owners have filed 29 complaints about the new RAV4 Hybrid, and none are listed under the Forester Hybrid's name. That is context, not proof of a problem.
Warranty and resale
Both cars have 3 years or 36,000 miles of basic coverage, 5 years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain, and 8 years or 100,000 miles on the hybrid system. Toyota goes further on the hybrid battery: 10 years or 150,000 miles. Subaru's spec sheet lists one term for its whole hybrid system, battery included. Toyota also includes some free scheduled maintenance; Subaru lists none.
Toyota won a major 2026 best-resale-value award as a brand. Our five-year numbers count only price and fuel, not resale, so this is where the Toyota can win back money when you sell.
Four price-matched rounds
We matched each Forester Hybrid with the RAV4 closest in price and scored the standard features you will use, weighted by how often you will use them, against five years of price, destination and fuel. The better value in each round scores 100. Our method is on the How we research page.
| Round | Matchup | 5-year cost | Value score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Entry | Forester Premium vs RAV4 SE | $45,505 vs $45,445 | 100 vs 79 |
| 2. Mid | Forester Sport vs RAV4 XLE Premium | $48,705 vs $46,845 | 99 vs 100 |
| 3. Off-road | Forester Wilderness vs RAV4 Woodland | not scored | not scored |
| 4. Top | Forester Touring vs RAV4 XSE | $52,320 vs $50,645 | 99 vs 100 |
In round one both have heated front seats, a power driver's seat, blind-spot warning and automatic braking in reverse. The Forester adds a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, a wireless charger and a bigger screen as standard; on the RAV4 SE the sunroof and power liftgate are options, and the charger and bigger screen are not offered. Over five years the RAV4 ends up just $60 less.
In round two the XLE Premium costs about $400 less up front and about $1,900 less over five years. The Forester Sport keeps its sunroof and adds Harman Kardon sound and bigger wheels, while the XLE Premium brings leather-look seats and phone-as-a-key. The RAV4 edges the score by one point. The Forester Limited Hybrid is only about $1,100 more than the Sport and adds a heated steering wheel and a power passenger seat.
Round three, the Wilderness against the Woodland, is not scored because the Wilderness Hybrid has no EPA rating yet. The Woodland costs about $600 less and tows 3,500 lb with a tow hitch and a household-style outlet in the cargo area. The Wilderness sits higher, 9.3 inches against 8.5, and adds heated rear seats and underbody protection.
In round four, the Forester Touring adds a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and Harman Kardon sound, while the XSE has a bigger screen, a memory seat, phone-as-a-key and traffic jam assist, and costs about $1,700 less over five years. Our score does not count cargo space, towing, resale or crash tests.
Which one is right for you?
- Most features for your money: Forester Premium Hybrid.
- Adults or tall teens in the back: Forester.
- Lots of miles: RAV4 XLE Premium or XSE.
- Cargo space or a small camper: RAV4.
- Snowy back roads and trails: Forester Wilderness Hybrid, with the most ground clearance here.
- Lowest price for an all-wheel-drive hybrid: RAV4 LE.
Before you sign, ask for the out-the-door price in writing and check it for add-ons you did not ask for. Ask for both 2026 and 2027 Forester prices, and ask the dealer to confirm any open recalls are fixed, including the Forester's sunroof check. For another RAV4 matchup, see our Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs Honda CR-V Hybrid comparison. Watch the full video above and see all our car comparisons.
Sources
All figures checked in October 2026.
- 2027 Subaru Forester Hybrid prices: Subaru media release and subaru.com Forester Hybrid
- 2026 Toyota RAV4 prices, specs and features: toyota.com RAV4
- EPA fuel economy and fuel cost: Forester Hybrid AWD, RAV4 AWD LE and SE, RAV4 AWD XLE, RAV4 AWD XSE and Limited, RAV4 Woodland (fueleconomy.gov)
- Crash tests, recalls and complaints: NHTSA · IIHS 2026 Subaru Forester · IIHS 2026 Toyota RAV4
- Warranty: Subaru 2027 Forester Hybrid spec sheet and Toyota spec table (toyota.com)
- Resale: Kelley Blue Book 2026 Best Resale Value Awards
Buy the 2027 Subaru Forester Premium Hybrid if you want the most equipment for the money: it has a sunroof, a power liftgate, heated seats and the roomier back seat, the 2026 Forester earned the top IIHS award, and over five years it costs almost exactly the same as a comparable RAV4. If you drive a lot of miles or need cargo space, choose the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE Premium, which uses less fuel and edges the Forester Sport on our value score.
Common questions
Which is better, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or the Subaru Forester Hybrid?
The Forester Hybrid Premium gives the most equipment and the stronger crash-test record for the money. The RAV4 Hybrid is better if you drive many miles, need cargo space or want to tow, and it edges our value score from the mid trims up.
Which gets better gas mileage, the RAV4 Hybrid or the Forester Hybrid?
The RAV4 Hybrid. The EPA rates the all-wheel-drive RAV4 at up to 42 mpg combined against 35 for the Forester Hybrid, about $300 a year in fuel.
Is the Subaru Forester Hybrid safer than the Toyota RAV4?
On ratings so far, yes. The 2026 Forester earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, and the 2025 Forester Hybrid got five NHTSA stars. The new RAV4 has no IIHS award and no NHTSA rating yet.
Does the Subaru Forester Hybrid have all-wheel drive?
Yes, on every trim. The RAV4 Hybrid LE, SE and XLE Premium add all-wheel drive for about $1,400 more.
Which has more cargo space, the RAV4 or the Forester?
The RAV4, with 37.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat against 33.1 in the Forester Hybrid.