2025 Toyota RAV4 vs 2026 Subaru Impreza

$29,800 · Crossover

$26,595 · Wagon

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between the slightly more rugged, traditional crossover feel of the 2025 Toyota RAV4 and the standard grip of the sleeker 2026 Subaru Impreza wagon can be tough, especially when the MSRP gap is $3,205. The RAV4 offers a substantial power advantage with 203 hp compared to the Impreza's 152 hp, which might matter on highway merging, even though both sip regular unleaded fuel. However, the RAV4 is notably larger, measuring 180.9 inches long versus the Impreza's 176.2 inches, which impacts maneuverability. For fuel efficiency, the RAV4 inches ahead slightly with 30 MPG combined versus the Impreza’s 29 MPG. The RAV4 also boasts significantly more hauling capability, offering 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Impreza's 20.4 cubic feet, a massive difference for hauling gear or luggage on road trips.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Toyota RAV4

The 2025 RAV4 is the winner for commuters due to its slightly better combined MPG rating of 30 versus the Impreza's 29.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Toyota RAV4

The RAV4 is superior for families because it offers 37.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, significantly more than the Impreza's 20.4 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Toyota RAV4

Enthusiasts will prefer the RAV4 for its 51 horsepower advantage, delivering 203 hp compared to the Impreza's 152 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Impreza

The 2026 Impreza offers better immediate value, costing $3,205 less while providing standard All-Wheel Drive.

Choose the Toyota RAV4 if...

You prioritize horsepower and need the 203 hp available for easier passing.
You frequently haul bulky items and need the generous 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space.
You prefer the traditional feel and slightly better highway efficiency (35 MPG) of a front-wheel-drive crossover.

Choose the Subaru Impreza if...

Sticking to a tighter budget is crucial, as the Impreza starts $3,205 cheaper at $26,595.
You live in snowy or slippery conditions and value standard All-Wheel Drive over FWD.
You prefer a smaller footprint for easier urban parking, as the Impreza is 4.7 inches shorter in length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota RAV4	Subaru Impreza
Length	180.9"	176.2"
Width	73.0"	70.1"
Height	67.0"	58.3"
Wheelbase	105.9"	105.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	203 hp @ 6600 rpm	152 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	184 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	145 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/35 MPG	27/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	391.5/507.5 mi.	448.2/547.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.5 gal.	16.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	11.6 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.5 in.	39.8 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	42.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.8 in.	56.8 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 in.	55.1 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.8 in.	36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.4 in.	55.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.7 in.	53.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Wheel Material	Steel	Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/65R17	225/40R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Toyota	Subaru
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	2 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 25000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota RAV4 and 2026 Subaru Impreza.

How much more powerful is the 2025 RAV4 than the 2026 Impreza?

The RAV4 holds a significant advantage with 203 horsepower, while the Impreza delivers 152 horsepower. This 51 hp difference means the RAV4 will feel noticeably quicker, especially when accelerating onto the highway.

Is the Subaru Impreza’s standard AWD worth the trade-off in cargo space?

It depends on your priorities; the Impreza includes AWD standard, which is excellent for grip, but it sacrifices space, providing only 20.4 cu ft of cargo room compared to the RAV4's 37.6 cu ft.

What is the difference in fuel economy between these two models?

The RAV4 achieves a slightly better 30 MPG combined, while the Impreza is rated at 29 MPG combined. While both use regular unleaded, the RAV4 offers better highway numbers at 35 MPG versus the Impreza's 33 MPG.

Which vehicle is physically smaller and easier to maneuver in a city?

The 2026 Subaru Impreza is the smaller vehicle overall, being 176.2 inches long and 70.1 inches wide. The RAV4 is larger across the board at 180.9 inches long and 73.0 inches wide.

Does the higher price of the RAV4 ($29,800) justify the cost over the Impreza ($26,595)?

The RAV4 costs $3,205 more upfront, but you gain 203 hp and nearly 17 cubic feet more cargo capacity. If power and utility are crucial, the extra investment may be worthwhile.