TRD OR vs Subaru Forester

[CavPro]

I laugh every time I see one, and scratch my head over threads like this.

 

[Jetboy]

As much as I really hated the engine for guzzling so much oil, where Subaru really earns its merits is in the snow. Seen a few videos of double digit inches of snow where the Subarus are the only vehicles churning along, even compared to 4Runners and Wranglers.

I used to do a lot with an offroad club in Montana. In the winter we'd setup a race track at our motorsports park that was a dog-bone shape on an ice sheet. The subaru's would clean up. No one in anything from an Audi to a double locked rock buggy with studded tires could hang with a Subaru WRX on the ice rink.

 

[Signess]

Just hit 118,xxx on our '11 Impreza NA (EJ25). Nothing but oil changes and tire rotations. Would buy another Subaru. However, a Subaru does not compare to a mid-size body-on-frame SUV w/ part time 4WD.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

As much as I really hated the engine for guzzling so much oil, where Subaru really earns its merits is in the snow. Seen a few videos of double digit inches of snow where the Subarus are the only vehicles churning along, even compared to 4Runners and Wranglers.

I've never had one issue with any of my 3 4Runners in the snow, especially deep snow. I agree that our Forester moves good in the snow, but my fiancee agreed that my 4Runner does better in the snow than her Subbie

 

[DisPhu]

I’ve got a 2007 STI, 2014 Forester XT, and 2016 4Runner. I love them all in their own special way. [emoji1688]

 

[CutthroatSlam]

They are absolutely not the longest running vehicle on the road. While many aspects of the cars are durable the engines are the worst. I have been into Subaru STi and forrester's since 2004. The STi after 2006 has to be the least durable engine on the road. Also the forrester's 2.5.

Just last night driving through the local dealership another STi wagon was having engine out service.

They have been changing the engines lately but a few years ago the 2.0 was pretty bad as well. Two cylinder heads and gaskets not to mention timing belts are such stupid features. Mitsubishi and Toyota have timing belts but they are much easier to service. My 2003 galant will outlast 10 subaru's and I take it down the gnarliest roads

Yep, Subaru's are well know for blowing head gaskets. Stick with the 4Runner.

 

[mrblah]

If i didn't own a 4runner, i probably would be driving a lesbaru

 

[mteolus]

Next topic: "Jeep Grand Cherokee much better than a 4Runner"

 

[dot_tom]

The only good CVT is the tent company. nuf said.

 

[Bumbo]

I much rather have a 4Runner, but the only 4Runner that can compete with the AWD performance is the Limited.

The Subaru AWD would cream the 4WD of the SR5/Trail/TRD/Pro in snow driving… Need that Limited Torsen TC to really be an apples to apples comparison.

Having just come from the snow / mountains having a locked center kinda sucked at times.

 

[Jetboy]

Kinda depends on the type of snow. I'm pretty sure a Subaru would have struggled out here on Tuesday morning. Although I didn't see any, so who knows...

 

[CutthroatSlam]

I much rather have a 4Runner, but the only 4Runner that can compete with the AWD performance is the Limited.

The Subaru AWD would cream the 4WD of the SR5/Trail/TRD/Pro in snow driving… Need that Limited Torsen TC to really be an apples to apples comparison.

Having just come from the snow / mountains having a locked center kinda sucked at times.

Uhh we just drove from Montana through Utah completely in snow and the 4Runner performed great in it. Only other car I've done that in was a VW Bug. I guess the Subaru would be fine to and from a ski lift. My daughter in law has one, which should tell you who they appeal to.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Kinda depends on the type of snow. I'm pretty sure a Subaru would have struggled out here on Tuesday morning. Although I didn't see any, so who knows...

Now we're talking. Whereabouts are you in Utah?

 

[LandCruiser]

On road, on snow and ice there's no comparison between a 4Runner and a Subaru. Subaru wins hands down except maybe against a Limited with its full time 4WD.

Any Sport wagon like a Quattro or Subie is better.

Even with crappy all-season tires my Macan outperforms my 4Runner that has dedicated Nokians.

 

[Bumbo]

Kinda depends on the type of snow. I'm pretty sure a Subaru would have struggled out here on Tuesday morning. Although I didn't see any, so who knows...

Specifically curvy snow-capped mountain roads… I was driving without chains and switching between AWD and 4WD (locking and unlocking the center diff).

I was pretty surprised at how much better the truck felt when accelerating though a turns, traction control was quieter when unlocked. I also felt less scrubbing/binding in driveways and parking lots. It was easier to "break it loose" when locked. It was more fun to drive, but it was also less safe. I had more control unlocked.

In deep snow like you have in your photo, I don’t think it really matters. 4Runner will do better with clearance, and perhaps even better with a locked center. That looks much more challenging.

 

[Flighht2k]

I think the foresters are remarkably capable. I have an ongoing argument on Pirate regarding whether a Forester is more capable than a Mahindra Roxor. I have no doubt whatsoever that a Forester will absolutely embarrass a Roxor in the dirt. Roxors are open differentials on both ends. Shouldn't even be close. AND the kicker is that a forester is CHEAPER!! brand new than the Roxor. I'm still waiting for a roxor to show up as a trade in at my friend's powersports shop so we can take it out and compare. I'll probably rent a forester for a day. I'll be sure to video tape it.

I Forester is really no match for a 4Runner in the extreme, but it's pretty solidly in Jeep GC territory.

I'm really curious to see how the new RAV4 does. They've added MTS/ATRAC to the new Rav as a standard feature. Supposedly the center diff has a full lock dog clutch so you can actually get damn near the same drive performance as the non TRD model 4Runners. But of course a lot less durable and less ground clearance. With some skid plates and minor suspension mods you could have a reasonably capable overlander that's perfectly at home on all the "overland" trails and gets 30+mpg.

Every awd rav 4 has the ability to lock the center diff.

 

[thennen]

On road, on snow and ice there's no comparison between a 4Runner and a Subaru. Subaru wins hands down except maybe against a Limited with its full time 4WD.

Any Sport wagon like a Quattro or Subie is better.

Even with crappy all-season tires my Macan outperforms my 4Runner that has dedicated Nokians.

People must be talking about two different types of driving. Obviously the Subaru doesn’t “win” versus a part-time 4WD 4Runner in 12+ inches of snow. As for AWD vehicles on much less snow and on ice, enough people say they’re better that it must be true. I’ve never owned one so I wouldn’t know. As for me, I prefer the 4Runner’s ability to go more places than an AWD car can go.

 

[JeremyB]

Every awd rav 4 has the ability to lock the center diff.

Yes, but previous models locked with an clutch pack.

 

[Bumbo]

I recently learned NOT all Subaru AWD is created equal… it appears the tech is different between the Auto, Manual, and CVT. The STI has some Tier 1 stuff and outperforms the rest of their fleet too.

I saw this video and found it interesting.
YouTube

I think it’s important to note that Toyota traditionally made all the past generation 4Runners in AWD/4WD. Same tech as the Land Cruiser transfercase. It was an all mode all terrain type of deal. From snow ice to real locked 1:1 axle ratio for off-road. It’s not until the 5th gen came around they changed it on everything except the Limited. We used to have it all in the past generations, even the SR5, poor man’s Land Cruiser if you will.

 

[tls3601]

I feel a better comparison would be to compare it to the Highlander as it is also unibody. The 4Runner is a body in frame brute that is built to last. Kind of like trying to compare apples to oranges ��