Comfort, Space and Visibility
While Subaru embraces the "function vs form" look of the Forester, Toyota RAV4 seems to focus on 'style' over function, at the expense of comfort and visibility. Everybody needs their "space"! The 2020 Subaru Forester passenger volume is 111.9 cu, ft. vs 98.9 cu. ft. for the RAV4. The
Forester also has greater headroom, legroom and shoulder room in both the front and rear.Of the 2020 Forester...The Forester builds a lead in comfort and capability, mostly thanks to its brutally efficient shape that prioritizes comfort and not style. It's boxy shape and cross-trainer looks are a boon to outward vision. The Forester comfortably seats up to five adults with nearly 40 inches of rear seat leg room. The front seats are spacious, with a commanding view ahead, but the rear seat's a coliseum of space for a compact crossover. The Car Connection"The Subie's cabin feels roomy, airy, and inviting. It's helped by the panoramic sunroof that comes standard on non-base Foresters."Business Insider"Forester has personality. Inside the comfortable cabin, there is enough technology, storage space, and driving assistance to keep everyone happy taking the long way home. Overall, we think the Forester is a smart pick for a small SUV." EdmundsOf the 2020 RAV4...Despite the tall ride height, taller riders and drivers may struggle in the RAV4. That fast roofline and chunky shapes extract a toll from interior comfort. Taller riders may want to sit in the back for better head room.The Car Connection
"We found the (RAV4) to be somewhat disappointing to drive on the
road, with an engine that appeared to be outmatched compared to other
crossovers in its class and a chassis that delivered plenty of "head
toss, gut jiggle, and a fair amount of roll through corners." Motor
Trend
"We found the Toyota RAV4 to be shockingly unrefined to drive. 'The 2.5-liter engine is one of the most coarse-sounding four-cylinder engines I've encountered in a long time,' we said in our review. 'Under hard acceleration, the engine buzzes and strains like a poorly executed 20-year-old tuner Honda Civic.' A 5-foot-11 editor brushed up against the headliner while sitting in the driver's seat and others have found that slouching in the front seats isn't just a lifestyle choice." Business Insider
"When we've compared it to the competition, we've found it falls short of the mark set by the class leaders. We're also disappointed with the lack of comfort for the RAV4's front seats." Edmunds