TRD OR vs Subaru Forester

[wcjeep]

I've driven the newer Outbacks and Foresters and while they were nice I definitely didn't like either more than the 4Runner. Honestly doesn't feel like a good comparison, they're more in the Highlander category.





CVT I agree on, we have a Crosstrek as well and it's the part I like the least. Don't mind the lack of shifting but it's super late and goes from nothing to everything after a good delay. But low dependability? Subarus are some of the longest running vehicles on the road. That one I don't get.

Few friends with 2016+ Subarus have all been towed to the dealer for a variety of reasons. All street driven, zero off-road time. Many Subaru burn excessive amounts of oil. Latest is the Starlink infotainment going dead with 6 month back order on the newer models. The CVT is the real bummer, in any vehicle.

 

[Jetboy]

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

Out in the west desert. Skiing was overcrowded. So I took the dog and went looking for wild horses. Saw a few. Opened my camera case and had all my lenses... and no body. Lol. There's actually not much snow out there. Only a quarter mile or so of drifts. I actually did my best to get stuck but it wasn't deep enough even in the deepest spot. It can get pretty difficult out there, but it's not at the moment.

 

[Ditchhanger]

I've owned 7 Subarus in various forms (3 STi's, Legacy GT and 2 Impreza RS's, one I still have and is heavily modified for SCCA racing). I also had a manual Forester XT. They were all great cars and very capable, but I would not put it in the same class as the 4Runner for anything but light offroading and rallying. Mind you, all these cars that I owned were running the EJ25 series engines that were pre-2006. As much as I love Subarus, I would definitely not buy one today.

 

[Cloudrnnr]

LOL, if anyone is looking, I'm actually selling a 2005 Forester 5spd that I'm moving to make room for my 2013 TE. I know the Subie is better on gas, and certainly less effort in the snow. Ground clearance isn't bad, carrying capacity is great, but it can't tow my boat or ATVs, and can't quite keep up off road. Oh...and I don't have to constantly chase oil leaks, oil burn, do head gaskets every 80k miles and timing belts ever 90k.

 

[90Duck]

Subaru & 4Runner

It is a ridiculous comparison, almost like comparing an F-150 and a Miata (well not quite that extreme, but still, come on).

We currently have 3 Subarus in the family in addition to the 18 TRDOP (98 Legacy [son], 08 Impreza hatch [daughter], 16 WRX [wife/me]). We also used to have an 11 Forester, one of the infamous oil burners that got traded on the WRX. They are/were all manuals and are all great on the snowy roads we have around here all winter with their full time AWD and dedicated snow tires. You just never have to think about it with them. The 4Runner is like going back in time to our old ‘81 Toyota pu or Isuzu Trooper, with having to shift into and back out of 4wd to pull out in to traffic on the clear main streets from ice packed side streets. I don’t mind it at all, but you just don’t even have to think about it in AWD.

It is a total toss up for the wife and I over which vehicle we’d rather take in the morning between the WRX and the 4Runner. They are both white, both have hood scoops (one of them functional :shrug, and are otherwise about as opposite in design and driving dynamics as you can get. I love them both, but you really can’t meaningfully compare them. They have different missions in life. Go get one of each.

 

[Offwidth]

I will never buy a car with CVT. It’s crap. Subaru dropped the ball.

4Runner by a mile. Unless you are on a tight budget.

 

[Offwidth]

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.

Why would you lock center? RWD is just fine 99 percent of time until you actually can’t accelerate. All cars have four wheel brakes and two wheel steering. It is all in the tires and 4Runner has more choice.

My wife’s car is 4matic GLC, and i previously had R-class, which is a better system than Subaru for snow, and we would rather take a proper truck to a ski trip.

Though the best in really bad snow was our minivan with Thule chains that I could pop on in under a minute. Drove past many an SUV in a ditch.

 

[davem]

...

We have a '12 & '18 Legacy along with the 4Runner. I dont like the cvt would much rather have a manual but no GT made to get that. The subi's are great in the snow and get good mileage.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[davem]

Sorry this was to be in Subi/4Runner comparison thread. I messed up. [emoji848]

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[Titanpat57]

It's a 4runner forum.....not a subi forum....but your mom looks pretty hot in that picture

 

[Argyle Edison]

This thread is a perfect example of how your specific opinion doesn’t mean dick to anyone else. Line up 100 people and get 100 different opinions.

Get what you like and what fits your life better.

Just curious, did you ask this question on a Subaru site? Outcome ?

 

[MossJenks]

It's a 4runner forum.....not a subi forum....but your mom looks pretty hot in that picture

You should have seen her last night!

 

[Bumbo]

Why would you lock center? RWD is just fine 99 percent of time until you actually can’t accelerate. All cars have four wheel brakes and two wheel steering. It is all in the tires and 4Runner has more choice.

My wife’s car is 4motion GLC, and i previously had R-class, which is a better system than Subaru for snow, and we would rather take a proper truck to a ski trip.

Though the best in really bad snow was our minivan with Thule chains that I could pop on in under a minute. Drove past many an SUV in a ditch.

I was locking the center because I was curious to see how a TRD / Pro would handle in 4WD as that’s the only mode they can operate in when in 4WD (with a locked center). Most of my journey was unlocked (AWD) as it should be.

It was more of a test for my own curiosity. My testing confirmed that the Torsen TC is still valid and exists for a reason.

I rarely get to drive in snow, so it was a treat, and I took the opportunity to play around when I could.

That said, I’ve taken things a lot less capable car with chains into a lot worse… so I get what you are saying.

 

[BIGpharma]

Just sold my 16 CVT WRX to get a 15 Limited.. I loved the WRX, but needed more room and towing capacity (T4R is much more “practical”). Had an 02 WRX back in college that I traded in for a 05 T4R before I had that 16 WRX LOLz

02 WRX->05 T4R->16 WRX->15 T4R

 

[Offwidth]

I was locking the center because I was curious to see how a TRD / Pro would handle in 4WD as that’s the only mode they can operate in when in 4WD (with a locked center). Most of my journey was unlocked (AWD) as it should be.

It was more of a test for my own curiosity. My testing confirmed that the Torsen TC is still valid and exists for a reason.

I rarely get to drive in snow, so it was a treat, and I took the opportunity to play around when I could.

That said, I’ve taken things a lot less capable car with chains into a lot worse… so I get what you are saying.

I do not understand why people rave about Torsen for snow driving. I find predictable fixed torque split in 4matic, with a locking center clutch, much more predictable to control your on ice. No sudden shift from understeer to oversteer. Fully open systems like xdrive are less predictable when traction control intervenes.
But then I do prefer RWD with good tires over AWD. Only need 4wd to get up some occasional driveway or in actual off-roading.

 

[Mtn Mule]

My wife's 2014 Forester XT has 56,000 trouble free miles and is way more fun to drive than my 4runner. Subaru has very little problems.

 

[thennen]

My wife's 2014 Forester XT has 56,000 trouble free miles and is way more fun to drive than my 4runner. Subaru has very little problems.

With all due respect, 56,000 trouble-free miles isn't saying much these days. But glad you're enjoying your Subaru!

 

[acc1987]

Own an '17 Forester Touring 2.5 and '18 ORP

They are totally different cars. Although, my wife just hit a feed box (Texans ) and sheered the rim off the tire, hit the median and spun out. Walked away without a scratch. Safe enough that we got a newer one with a few less miles.

Great car in the snow and all, but there is no comparing a $30k crossover to a $45+ k true SUV

 

[old12valve]

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.

I'm curious myself. I actually did a "build" on Toyota's website. They're not cheap, it came to $38,700 which seemed a bit rich (Adventure model, pretty much loaded). But I have to be honest with myself in that most of my off-road stuff is pretty mild these days. I'm no spring chicken anymore so the days of "I wonder if I can make it up that hill, I'm going to try" are over. I'm more interested in trails and things, but 4wd is still a must.

That being said, the Rav4 is something that is on my mind after reading about it. The fuel mileage in conjunction with the off-road potential is very intriguing.

 

[LandCruiser]

I'm curious myself. I actually did a "build" on Toyota's website. They're not cheap, it came to $38,700 which seemed a bit rich (Adventure model, pretty much loaded). But I have to be honest with myself in that most of my off-road stuff is pretty mild these days. I'm no spring chicken anymore so the days of "I wonder if I can make it up that hill, I'm going to try" are over. I'm more interested in trails and things, but 4wd is still a must.

That being said, the Rav4 is something that is on my mind after reading about it. The fuel mileage in conjunction with the off-road potential is very intriguing.

Rav 4 used to be a good value, not so much anymore.