VS
At a Glance
Power
136 kW
163 kW
Torque
247 Nm
221+e Nm
Fuel
7.9 l/100km
4.8 l/100km
Towing
1500 Kg
1000 Kg
Engine
2498 cc
2487 cc
Choosing between the Subaru Forester and the Toyota RAV4 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Subaru Forester delivers 136 kW while the Toyota RAV4 produces 163 kW. On fuel, the Forester returns 7.9 l/100km while the RAV4 uses 4.8 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R830 000 for the Forester and R858 500 for the RAV4. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
136 kW
163 kW
Torque
247 Nm
221+e Nm
Top Speed
—
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2498 cc
2487 cc
Engine Layout
boxer
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol-electric hybrid
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
—
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.9 l/100km
4.8 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
63 l
55 l
CO2 Emissions
180 g/km
109 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4655 mm
4600 mm
Width
1830 mm
1855 mm
Height
1730 mm
1685 mm
Wheelbase
2670 mm
2690 mm
Ground Clearance
220 mm
195 mm
Kerb Weight
1645 Kg
1730-1750 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
496-1174 l
733 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1500 Kg
1000 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
9
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
—
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
3 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
150000 Km
100000 vehicle / 195000 hybrid battery K
Service Plan
—
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
6 services
Service Plan Distance
—
90000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
RAV4
Fuel Economy
RAV4
Value
Forester
Practicality
Forester
Pros & Cons
Subaru Forester
Lower starting price (R830 000)
Higher towing capacity (1500 Kg)
Higher fuel consumption (7.9 l/100km)
Less power than rival (136 kW vs 163 kW)
No factory service plan
Toyota RAV4
More powerful engine (163 kW)
Better fuel economy (4.8 l/100km)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Forester or RAV4?
The Forester uses 7.9 l/100km and the RAV4 uses 4.8 l/100km on the combined cycle. The RAV4 is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Forester or RAV4?
The Forester produces 136 kW and 247 Nm of torque while the RAV4 delivers 163 kW and 221+e Nm of torque. The RAV4 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Forester and RAV4?
The Forester starts from R830 000 and the RAV4 from R858 500. The Forester is cheaper by R28 500 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Forester or RAV4?
The Forester has a braked towing capacity of 1500 Kg and the RAV4 can tow 1000 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Forester or the RAV4?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.