2019 Subaru Forester vs. 2019 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road: Which Is Best On and Off the Road?

Edmunds editors Travis Langness and Calvin Kim take the new Subaru Forester and Toyota 4Runner on a trip to the local mountains to showcase each vehicle's strengths and weaknesses on and off the road. It's all to answer the pressing question: Does the car industry's near ideal crossover have what it takes to challenge Toyota's very definition of an SUV? How do these two fare on the roads that real people drive every day? How are they when asphalt turns to dirt? Find out as we answer these questions!

Q: How much power do the 2019 Subaru Forester Touring and the 2019 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road make?
A: The Forester is available with a 2.5-liter flat-four that makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The 4Runner comes with a 4.0-liter V6 that produces 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque.

Q: How do these cars work?
A: The Forester is equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission, while the 4Runner uses a five-speed automatic. While both drive all four wheels, they do it very differently. The Forester uses a variable clutch system to engage and disengage the rear wheels as traction is needed in conjunction with active brake control to limit wheelspin. The 4Runner can send its power to just the rear wheels for routine street driving or engage H4 to mechanically connect the front wheels to the rest of the drivetrain. For more torque, shift further to the low range, L4. The Toyota's system is mechanical and requires a firm hand on the transfer case shift lever for actuation. Other 4Runner models are equipped with a variable system that's easier to operate at the expense of outright mechanical connectivity.

Q: How much do these things cost?
A: As equipped, our 2019 Subaru Forester Touring totaled $35,270, while our 2019 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road rang in at $40,820. Both prices include destination and handling charges.

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[substringzero]

I owned two 4Runner myself and love the car. But 99% of the consumers out there will NEVER drive on anything more than a dirt road, and that is the reality.

[joelarson]

Using the off road trim to compare with the forester touring isn’t the best. You should have used the limited trim which doesn’t have as soft suspension, more features and all season tires. But these two shouldn’t be compared anyway. They are in two completely different classes for different purposes.

[leifhietala]

I've been a Toyota loyalist for a long time, but my Forester was unstoppable in snow, and that was an old one. These new ones are to my old Forester like this 4Runner was to the new Forester. And like these guys said, it's a way nicer ride when you're not out on a bad trail.

If you really need the 4Runner's capability and capacity, then there's no point in comparing. But if you're like these guys described, a weekend warrior who needs a car that's good in town but can handle some modest trails, the Forester is a really good choice.

[joshgeurink]

People are missing the point of this video entirely, the point is to see if an incredibly more practical car can compare to a incredibly more off-road capable car

[jjtpsu]

I was convinced I needed a 4Runner and now I’m not so sure. I don’t do any off roading, only tent camping. I think a Subaru is the way to go.

[bodystomp]

The Forester competes with the RAV4, not really the 4Runner

[angelicacushing]

This is a great review. I cant wait till they do a comparative review of the new mac pro to a lobster.

[jrhcustom]

For hardcore offloading I use my lifted 33" 2000 Toyota 4runner Limited 4x4 with factory e locker. 400, 000 miles and on it's 4th timing belt. I use the 19 Forester Premium as our family car to cabin in the remote mountains. With a 2inch lift and all terrains I'm quite flabbergasted to what it won't due. Especially in Xmode with torque vectoring.

[daemn]

I like this “non traditional” comparison tests. When I buy a vehicle, it is rare all the cars on my list to compare are from the same category. I tend to look at the top 2 vehicles from several categories.
Thanks for this comparison video. They really help and are entertaining. It suits the way I shop and buy. Keep it up!
Btw, a couple years ago, I cross shopped a Forester vs Xterra vs Tacoma. I ended up with the Xterra.

[_jg]

Great comparison. Next I’d like like to see the towing comparison between a V6 Honda Ridgeline and a duramax GMC Sierra 2500.

[roster]

No one asked for this comparison, should of been 2019 RAV4 Adventure vs 2019 Forester off road comparison.

[jpweb]

I own a small crossover (2015 Rav4 AWD) and a 2003 4Runner. The Rav is great, good fuel economy, pleasant if unexciting to drive and great in winter but the 4Runner is on a whole different level. I've owned and driven many many different vehicles and IMHO the 4th gen V8 full time 4WD 4Runner is one of the best designed, best engineered and best built personal vehicles ever offered for sale.

[nimab]

It was a good video but the conclusion was absurd. 4runner is about fun, not MPG and tech. If someone wants to get a crossover for family, Toyota offers Rav4 and Highlander. But the fact that Wrangler and 4runner sell a boatload proves that there is still demand for offroad monsters.

[stonepa]

As the owner of a 4Runner and an Outback, the big difference for me is the range and fuel mileage. Who wants to worry about fueling up when you are a long way out in the backcountry? My 4Runner needed a refill within 200, maybe 225 miles. Off road, maybe 180 miles. My Outback? 375 to 400 miles. Big difference for vehicles with similar real world capabilities.

[StayConsistant]

I own a Tacoma 4x4 and a 14 Forester XT. They are both great, but the Forester is a blast to drive and has a surprisingly large amount of space. I also put AT's on it. Haven't had a chance to test them out yet.

[NaijaBoiTellEm]

Never understood the desire to compare the 4Runner to cars. It's an unapologetic body-on-frame SUV that is outdated yet uber reliable. I've never looked at my Trail Edition as car and desire car-like attributes. Both vehicles here are geared towards an active lifestyle but the 4Runner will handle almost anything thrown at it.

[jaasun]

Best part of the 4Runner is that is doesn’t have all the gimmicky tech. Pay attention when you drive or don’t drive.

[Mamo]

Sigh.
The comments down here are truly idiotic, sorry to say.
The _very point_ of the test was to see how an everyday non-off-road mission critical vehicle compares to a traditional body-on-frame off-road mission critical vehicle.
It's _not_ supposed to be some Jeep vs. 4Runner off-road test to the death.
ffs

[denisleblanc]

The first thing you missed is payload. Max out the Forrester and try it off road then we'll talk again. 4 adults and some gear in the Forrester and you've lost about 2 inches of ground clearance. You'll loose nothing in the 4Runner with it's solid rear axle. The Forrester will start bottoming out on small bumps at speed where the 4Runner will actually drive smoother. Finally, you have a CVT in the Forrester and will run out of initial torque to climb even modest obstacles. No problem with the 4Runner and it's low range. I've driven a Subaru off road for a couple of years and now I drive a FJ Cruiser. You think the Forrester is underpowered, load it up and it becomes unacceptable. No passing reserver, buzzing to climb hills and downright dangerous when merging. You won't find that with the 4Runner. Don't say that the Forrester does most of what the 4Runner can do. The truth is that its as good as most crossovers specially off road, but it can't hold a candle to the 4Runner in deep snow, soft sand, mud, ice in deep puddles, deep water, payload, towing, rough dirt roads. Not only that, but you can off road for years in the 4Runner and after doing it with any unitized body vehicle, it will shake itself to pieces. Nice try but no cigar.

[bradfrank]

I have owned a Toyota FJ Cruiser & Land Rover Discovery. I now own a 2018 Subaru Outback. While initially, I had my doubts regarding the Subaru's capabilities, now I am a believer. I can go to and get to 98% of anywhere the above 2 vehicles took me. The build quality and AWD system are something no other car company does for under 50K. Capability, comfort, tech and nearly twice the MPG of an FJ or 4Runner, plus it's the value play in the segment. The Ascent, Outback, Forester & Crosstrek ALL come with AWD, XMode & Subaru's "Eye Sight" (collision mitigation and more) STANDARD. It just makes sense. Plus you can easily find lift kits, skid plates etc. Lastly, something I like is you can purchase an all systems 10 year, 100K additional warranty for (there are various year and mileage combinations to choose) for under 2K! :)