Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4: Best Compact SUV for Long Island?

Three compact SUVs dominate Nassau County showrooms more than any others: the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4. All three seat five, all three offer some form of AWD, and all three land in a similar $28,000-$32,000 price range at base. Choosing between them comes down to which compromises matter least to you.

Bottom Line: The Forester wins on standard AWD and driver visibility. The CR-V wins on fuel efficiency and interior refinement. The RAV4 wins on cargo volume and off-road-oriented trims. Most Hicksville and Plainview commuters who want standard AWD without optional upgrades should look at the Forester first.

• Only the Forester includes full-time AWD as standard on every trim at no extra cost
• The CR-V returns the best fuel economy of the three at up to 38 mpg highway
• The RAV4 offers the widest trim range including a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and TRD Off-Road variant

The AWD Question That Decides Most Long Island Buyers

This comparison often ends at the AWD discussion. The Forester includes Subaru Symmetrical Full-Time AWD on every trim, including the base model. There is no FWD option available.

The CR-V and RAV4 both default to front-wheel drive at lower trims and charge extra for AWD. A base RAV4 AWD adds roughly $1,400 over the FWD version. A base CR-V AWD adds approximately $1,500. When you add those figures to the base prices, the Forester’s AWD pricing advantage becomes clear for Nassau County drivers who want it as a given.

For a complete look at why full-time AWD matters in New York winters, see our Subaru Forester complete guide.

Fuel Economy Compared

The CR-V has a meaningful efficiency advantage. The standard 1.5-liter turbocharged CR-V earns up to 28 mpg city / 34 mpg highway on AWD trims. The RAV4 returns 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway on its standard AWD configuration. The Forester delivers 26 mpg city / 33 mpg highway.

For high-mileage Meadowbrook Parkway commuters, the CR-V’s fuel efficiency advantage adds up. At 15,000 miles per year and current gas prices, the CR-V saves approximately $100-$150 annually over the Forester. That’s real money over five years but rarely the deciding factor when total ownership costs are considered.

Cargo Space

The RAV4 leads this category with 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 69.8 cubic feet maximum. The CR-V offers 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet maximum - actually the largest of the three with seats folded. The Forester delivers 28.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.5 cubic feet maximum.

For families who routinely load strollers, sports equipment, or groceries for five from stores in Syosset or Jericho, the CR-V and RAV4 offer a genuine cargo advantage. The Forester’s lead is in visibility and ride height, not volume.

Safety Technology

All three models now offer comparable advanced driver assistance technology. Subaru’s EyeSight (available from the Forester Premium trim) bundles adaptive cruise, lane centering, and pre-collision braking. Honda Sensing on the CR-V is standard on all trims. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 on the RAV4 is similarly standard across the lineup.

Honda wins the standard ADAS argument since Honda Sensing comes on every CR-V including the base trim, while EyeSight on the Forester requires stepping to Premium ($30,195). The RAV4 also includes Toyota Safety Sense at all trim levels. If a base-priced vehicle with full safety tech is the goal, the CR-V and RAV4 have an edge.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Who Should Choose Which Model?

Forester is the clear choice for Nassau County buyers who want standard AWD, maximum driver visibility, and a compact footprint for tight parking in Hicksville, Bethpage, or Westbury. The EyeSight package from Premium trim is highly competitive once the AWD pricing math is done.

CR-V suits buyers who prioritize fuel economy, interior refinement, and standard safety features at every price point. Its larger cargo volume and slightly more car-like ride on the parkway make it a strong choice for high-mileage daily drivers.

RAV4 fits buyers who want the most trim variety, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid options that neither the Forester nor CR-V standard models offer. The RAV4 Hybrid returns up to 39 mpg combined, which changes the total cost equation substantially.

Ready to experience the Forester firsthand? Browse Forester inventory at Grand Prix Subaru or view current specials and lease offers to compare the Forester against competing models.

Compact SUV Comparison FAQ

Does the Subaru Forester have standard AWD unlike the CR-V and RAV4? Yes. Every Forester trim includes Subaru Symmetrical Full-Time AWD at no extra cost. Both the CR-V and RAV4 charge an additional $1,400-$1,500 to add AWD at base trims.

Which compact SUV gets the best gas mileage? The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid leads at up to 39 mpg combined. Among non-hybrid options, the CR-V edges out the Forester at 34 mpg highway (AWD) vs. 33 mpg for the Forester.

Is the Forester bigger inside than the CR-V? No. The CR-V has more maximum cargo capacity (76.5 cu ft vs. 69.5 cu ft). The Forester has more front headroom due to its taller roofline, which many drivers prefer.

Which model is safest according to crash tests? All three have earned top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA. The Forester has been an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recipient for multiple years. The CR-V and RAV4 have similarly strong safety records.

Is the Forester the right choice for Long Island winters? For buyers who want AWD without paying extra for it, yes. The Forester’s combination of standard AWD, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and EyeSight safety technology makes it well-suited for Long Island’s mix of parkway commuting and occasional snow.

Visit Grand Prix Subaru in Hicksville

Grand Prix Subaru serves Nassau County from its Hicksville location, with easy access from Bethpage, Plainview, and Westbury. Test drive the Forester alongside a side-by-side comparison with any competing model in the segment.

Schedule a test drive or contact us with questions before your visit.