Toyota RAV4 vs Skoda Karoq vs Subaru Forester. So different and so attractive
Tall, roomy and practical - these are just a few of the features that have allowed compact sports crossovers to conquer the global car market. Today we want to find out which of the three brightest representatives of the SUV segment is worthy of us paying our money for it and trusting it with our comfort. So, make yourselves comfortable - let's get acquainted with Toyota RAV4, Skoda Karoq and Subaru Forester.
Design
The sporty Toyota RAV4 with its muscular, athletic body looks great in Cyan Metallic. Wide sculpted surfaces and a large trapezoidal grille visually make the car look the most reliable and solid.
Skoda Karoq is quite different. It is the smallest, but also the most daring member of our trio. But does size really matter? Like all VW cars, the Karoq is characterized by high build quality, premium design and expensive interior.
The Subaru Forester needs no introduction - it's the perfect combination of power and intelligence in a sporty body. Its owner has many advanced technologies at his or her disposal, including the Eyesight driver assistance package, as well as nice, practical little things like huge hand luggage compartments in the doors.
Engines
* RAV4. Toyota's 170-horsepower 2-liter four-cylinder engine is the most powerful in our trio, and it is second only to the Karoq in terms of torque.
* Karoq. Skoda's 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 147 hp and 250 Nm of torque. The turbocharged motor is the most powerful, despite the fact that it is inferior to competitors in terms of volume and weight.
* Forester. Subaru's 2-liter four-cylinder motor produces 153 hp and 196 Nm of torque. Despite having the least torque, the car surprisingly doesn't suffer from this, as maximum power and torque are achieved in a lower rev range than the RAV4.
Gearbox
* RAV4. The car is equipped with a variator, which smoothly shifts gears, provides easy handling and convenience of the SUV on daily trips. But don't miss the chance to check out how the transmission works to its full potential.
* Karoq. Maximum torque the engine of the Czech car reaches earlier than the motors of its rivals. Combined with the fast-acting seven-speed DSG, it gives the crossover the chance to accelerate as quickly as possible.
* Forester. Subaru's CVT transmission is responsive, but not as smooth as Toyota's.
Driveability
The Rav4 responds quickly and smoothly to steering, and the noise and vibration isolation of its interior is ideal. This makes for a relaxing and soothing ride. The new Direct Shift CVT allows the car to pick up speed quickly. The Forester has a smooth ride, while the impatient Karok's engine has a sportier feel.
The Karoq is the leader in terms of handling among our test trio. Its steering is well weighted and precise, and it makes the driver feel confident even in fast corners. But the car overcomes obstacles worse. In Karoq, you will notice all the potholes and bumps that are not felt in RAV4 and Forester.
Thanks to Subaru's new global platform, noise, vibration and bumps in the Forester are felt much less than in earlier cars of the Japanese brand. The crossover is very comfortable and comfortable even at high speeds. All-wheel drive makes the SUV reliable regardless of the road conditions.
Interior
The RAV4 has the "toughest" interior with a compact dashboard for easy control. It displays the most information, but it can't beat the Karoq in simplicity and clarity. The infotainment system has a large, but oddly enough, monochrome, touchscreen. As expected, the air conditioning in this car is the most powerful.
The Karoq's interior is as elegant as possible. You'll find an infotainment system with a large screen and atmospheric lighting that the competition doesn't have. Another advantage is the roomy hand luggage compartments in the doors. The analog gauges look the clearest and most user-friendly for information while driving.
In the Forrester, the control panel surprises with a lot of gauges and switches. The information is quite easy to read, but sometimes the glare prevents it from being seen. The car differs from its rivals by its front seats with electric adjustment (the driver's seat is equipped with the function of remembering settings). But the crossover has no slot for wireless charging of gadgets, while it is provided in Karoq and RAV4.
Passenger seats
The RAV4 has the most spacious second row of seats and the brightest interior thanks to large windows. But the rear part of Karoq is the most practical due to the VarioFlex seat transformation system, which has been tested yet on Yeti. Alas, from the standpoint of convenience, the second row of seats "Czech" is not so good - it is the narrowest, the passengers are given only one 12-volt jack, while the competitors next to the rear seats have two USB-sockets.
In Forester, the rear seats are not as comfortable and spacious as in RAV4. But it is easy to get in the car and put luggage - the doors open very wide.
Trunk
The RAV4's 547-litre luggage compartment opens wide, so it's easy to load and unload bulky items such as boxes. But in the luggage compartment itself there are only two attachment points and a small fixing grid. But the spare tire in the cargo area is full-sized.
Karoq's trunk is the most universal; due to VarioFlex system of transformation of rear seats its volume can vary from 479 to 588 liters. Useful little things - 12-volt socket, Velcro separators, removable lighting and others - make it even more attractive.
The Forester's 498-liter trunk has 10 attachment points and a 12-volt outlet at once. Unlike its competitors, it has levers for folding the backrests of the rear seats.
Ignition keys
The Karoq key is not different from that of any VW car. The RAV4 key is distinguished by the smallest buttons, the lock button is marked with convex dots. The Forester key is the most stylish, and it also has a colored logo.
Conclusion
All three crossovers are worthy competitors. Drivers and passengers should appreciate each of them. Nevertheless, we have to give a verdict to see who gets the champion's belt in our battle.
Skoda Karoq is a beautiful small SUV with a confident ride and compact dimensions. This model Skoda has no equal in versatility. Drivers will surely appreciate its sporty and lively dynamics. If you prefer the European style and handling, choose Karoq.
The all-new Toyota RAV4 impresses with responsive hand controls, a smooth ride and the Toyota Safety Sense assistance package as standard. An undeniable plus is the heated seats and steering wheel. There are a few controversial decisions in the cabin, such as the gearshift lever being far away from the driver. But ultimately, these are minor flaws, and if you can live with them, the RAV4 won't disappoint.
The Subaru Forester may not be the most stylish or elegant, but it is practical, comfortable, and incredibly easy to drive. The amount of technology that comes standard on this car is also staggering. There's the Subaru Intelligent Drive, the optional multi-function display, the Eyesight driver assistance package, and more.
Convenience and comfort are key features of the crossover. Subaru has both, which is why the Forester becomes our champion.
