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Spec-sheet brawl: Toyota RAV4 HEV vs Subaru Forester e-Boxer vs Honda CR-V RS e:HEV

How does Toyota’s new AWD hybrid compact SUV stack up against its rivals?
photo of the toyota rav4 hev, subaru forester e-boxer, and honda cr-v rs ehev side by side
ILLUSTRATION: Andrew Guerrero
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With the introduction of the all-new RAV4 in the local market, Toyota Motor Philippines finally joins Subaru and Honda in offering an all-wheel-drive hybrid compact SUV. For this high-riding electrified spec-sheet brawl, we’ll be pitting the range-topping P2.499 million Toyota RAV4 Limited HEV E-Four against the P2.498 million Subaru Forester e-Boxer and the P2.838 million Honda CR-V RS e:HEV AWD.

In the group, the RAV4 is the shortest at 4,600mm, while the CR-V is the longest at 4,691mm. The Forester is the narrowest at 1,830mm and tallest at 1,730mm in this trio. While the Toyota has the boxy and rugged big foot aesthetics, the Subaru actually has the advantage of having the highest ground clearance at 220mm, followed by the Honda at 204mm.

photo of the toyota rav4 2026

Subaru Forester e-Boxer

When it comes to shoes, the range-topping Toyota compact SUV is equipped with 29.3-inch diameter 235/50 R20 rubber. The CR-V RS follows with its 29.1-inch-diameter 235/60 R18 tires, then the Forester’s 28.3-inch-diameter 235/50 R19 rollers. The CR-V has the thickest sidewalls in the group thanks to its smaller wheels.

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Among the trio of electrified SUVs, the all-new RAV4 HEV has the highest total system output, followed by the CR-V e:HEV and the Forester Hybrid. Unlike the Subaru and Honda, the Toyota’s all-wheel-drive system is the only one without a mechanical link to the rear wheels; instead, it has a separate rear electric motor.

At this price point, vehicles are expected to have a long list of safety features, and this is very true for these three electrified offerings. The basic package is almost identical for all, save for a few extras that some may have but the others lack. The new RAV4, for example, is equipped with automatic rear braking but lacks rear cross-traffic alert that comes standard with its two rivals. The Toyota and Honda feature blind-spot monitoring while the Subaru makes do with its aspherical passenger side mirror to help minimize blind spots.

photo of the new honda cr-v rs e:hev 2025

These three SUVs combine all-wheel-drive capability with the typical fuel-efficiency that one would expect from hybrid vehicles. Since all three sport utility vehicles are self-charging, they’re good alternatives for buyers who either don’t have easy access to charging stations or want to stick with the routine of a conventional internal combustion vehicle.

On paper, it’s a tight battle among these three electrified compact SUVs, particularly the RAV4 and Forester, which only have a thousand pesos separating them. Still having a hard time deciding? Check out the side by side specs we prepared here and let us know which one you’d rather take on your next road trip.

SPECS: Toyota RAV4 HEV 2026, Subaru Forester e-Boxer 2026, Honda CR-V RS e:HEV 2026

Toyota RAV4 Limited HEV E-Four Subaru Forester e-Boxer Honda CR-V RS e:HEV AWD
Price (Philippine peso) 2,499,000 2,498,000 2,838,000
Drive e-AWD AWD AWD
Seating capacity 5 5 5
Engine 2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline 2.5-liter flat-4 gasoline 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline
Power (hp) 183 162 146
Torque (Nm) 221 209 183
Total System Output (hp) 236 192 204
Fuel tank capacity (liters) 55 63 57
Transmission e-CVT CVT e-CVT
Brakes (front/rear) disc/ disc disc/ disc disc/ disc
Wheels 20-inch alloy 19-inch alloy 18-inch alloy
Tires 235/50R20 235/50R19 235/60R18
Front suspension Independent MacPherson strut Independent MacPherson strut Independent MacPherson strut
Rear suspension Independent multi-link Independent multi-link Independent multi-link
Seat material leather leather leather
Infotainment system 12.9-inch touchscreen 11.6-inch touchscreen 9-inch touchscreen
Connectivity wireless Apple Carplay + wireless Android Auto wireless Apple Carplay + Android Auto wireless Apple Carplay + Android Auto
Speakers 9 11 12
Airbags 7 8 8
ABS w/ electronic brakeforce distribution yes yes yes
Electronic Stability Control yes yes yes
Cruise control yes (adaptive) yes (adaptive) yes (adaptive)
Hill-start assist yes yes yes
Forward-collision warning yes yes yes
Collision-mitigation system yes yes yes
Lane-keep assist yes yes yes
Lane-departure warning yes yes yes
Blind-spot monitoring yes No yes
Rear cross-traffic alert No yes yes
Automatic rear braking yes yes No
Active park assist yes No No
Camera yes (360-view) yes (360-view) yes (360-view)
Parking sensors front + rear rear front + rear
Headlights LED LED LED
Sunroof yes (panoramic) yes (panoramic) yes (panoramic)
Dimensions (mm) 4,600 x 1,855 x 1,695 4,655 x 1,830 x 1,730 4,691 x 1,866 x 1,691
Wheelbase (mm) 2,690 2,670 2,700
Ground Clearance (mm) 201 220 208

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ILLUSTRATION: Andrew Guerrero
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    TGP Rating:
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