Toyota Forrester vs Toyota Highlander?

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LabradorGuy

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Looking to buy family a new car, and they are looking at the Toyota Highlander and the Subaru Forrester or the Subaru Ascent, and possibly the Outback, but they don't like the station wagon look.

They really like the Subaru Forrester, but have never owned a Subaru. There are only a couple dealers in our state, so that is a downside and the nearest dealer is over 60 miles away.

We keep a vehicle a long time 200,000 + miles, so I'm wanting a good reliable vehicle.

What worries me about the Subaru is they all use the CVT transmission and from what I read it is all sealed and a new CVT transmission is pushing 10,000. I've read on Subaru is you get a great one or you've bought a bunch of issues.

The Toyota Highlander uses a standard 8 speed transmission, which I really like the old simple stuff. I'm not into any of the fancy stuff on cars, but they all seem to have the latest electronic stuff, but will be buying the most basic unit to limit all the fancy gadgets. We like the old style knobs and buttons for the AC heat and radio.

Any advice or info anyone could share would be greatly appreciated. Would like some first hand experience from real owners.
 
I was once a Toyota salesman.

My advice, is look on the window sticker and see where it's made. If it's not 100% Japan. Pay attention to all the other places is was sourced. Example, the early 2000's Camry had a transmission sourced from Mexico. They were prone to be in the shop over transmission issues. But since Toyota has some of the absolute best marketing on the planet. Keeping negative thoughts about the brand, out your head. There was never a problem.

No idea about Subaru.
 
Skip the highlander and get a 4runner. I had one for 2 years and loved it. The 4runner is among the longest lasting vehicles on the road AND holds its value like no other. One of the only vehicles along with the landcruiser that will consistently make it to 200K problem free. With the upcoming switch to a 4banger turbo, I think the current Gen will only increase in value down the road. Much more interior space than the highlander and a cooler overall look. Also made in Japan at the best factory in the world so manufacturing issues are unlikely. (my brother just bought a 120K Escalade and had the engine blow at 4K miles :oops:)

Downsides are a lack of power (270hp 270 Torque) and a more rigid ride due to the solid frame vs. unibody construction. You can get a nicely optioned TRD Off road premium for around $46K or the family friendly Limited for $52K where I live. A highlander XLE with AWD is about 45K. Definitely give one a test drive.
 
Walk to the service department. Ask to talk to the service manager. Don't say anything about buying something. Simply ask his opinion on the model you want. What repairs he typically sees. Ask him, if he bought the brand. What would it be. Because the guy sees literally hundreds of vehicles go through the shop. With some models always being notorious junk.
 
I can’t speak for the forester. My mom has a 2017 highlander, she had one before that but got replaced by insurance after an accident. Hers is the v6 awd, she’s got well over 100k miles on it now (not sure the exact mileage. Only problem I remember it having was with the infotainment center, stopped working at some point and Toyota replaced it. Nothing mechanical beyond regular maintenance.

I spent a lot of time riding around in that car, driven it a handful of times. For a family car it’s nice, compared to my $500 Xterra everything is nice though. Rides smooth from passengers perspective too. The 3rd row seats are a joke, but I’ve never been in 3rd row seats that don’t feel like a hobbit designed them. Trunk space is pretty good with the 3rd row folded down. It’s gone from Jersey to Michigan in the winter with snow a handful of times. Mom was in an real bad accident in her first one, T boned by someone running a red light. was just fresh out of the hospital from back surgery but she was fine, she feels safe in it.

I can’t speak for the forester but 2 of my buddies both have crosstrecks. One has a standard and the other the CVT. The one with the standard trans has taken it from NJ to WA multiple times. No issues beyond regular maintenance.
 
Worked with a bunch of coworkers who drove Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, Highlander, Subaru Forrester, etc. New Japanese cars are just dead-nuts reliable these days. I’d only be hesitant about older used Subaru, previous engine generations with potential crankcase leaks or a history of hooliganism. All the new cars seem fantastic with really reasonable maintenance costs.

I’ve been a huge Toyota fan since high school. I’ve owned four 1970-‘74 Celica coupes and an MR2. We currently own a 2013 Scion FRS with the Subaru FA20 engine and a 2013 RAV4. We’ve passed 100k miles on the RAV4 with zero issues. Very reasonable preventative maintenance only on both cars.
 
We bought a highlander a bit over 2 years ago. So far it’s been a great vehicle. Plenty of room, decent power, and comfortable on long road trips with 4 people. The 3rd row is only suitable for midgets, but we’ve got 2 pre-teen boys so it works out.
 
Generation to generation, and model year to year can make a big impact. In general you won't go wrong with either of those, you need to know your use cases. Since both of these cars are "soft roaders" and not really true 4x4s, the actual reason you want one might matter a lot. How the traction control handles your local weather, seating position, trunk space, all that may be more important. The thing that I would also look into, can you actually get your car repaired outside the dealership. I don't know how it is with modern Subarus, and I think Toyota is somewhat alright in this, but if you have a vin-locked car, any repairs may get really expensive. Even simple things like aftermarket upgrades might be nearly impossible. Also, check for theft reports (talk to your insurance company) as several very modern cars are very easy to steal. As was mentioned, talk to service writers/ shop managers, and look at if the car you want is at the beginning or end of it's generational cycle, never buy the "all new".
 
Have owned 3 Subarus, first was a forrester. Only issues I've ever had were wheel bearings and a radiator cap. Only real downside is regularly scheduled mIntenance on them is a bit pricey. If you want a more off road type of vehicle they have their wilderness series which has more capabilities, better clearance and a few other bells and whistles.
 
Go with the Subaru.

Since the 2007 model year, my extended family has a lot of lemons from Toyota, and in one case, my uncle had to use Toyota for refusing to fix something under warranty. 2 year old Camry started burning oil, and after multiple trips to the dealer, nothing would be fixed. He took it to another dealer, same thing. Took it to a regular mechanic and he said the motor was bad and needed to be replaced. It took getting an attorney and filing a suit to get Toyota to replace the motor.

I've found the dealers in Illinois to be dishonest as well, but that's not just Toyota. I once took my Kia to a different dealer than my usual, they tried to convince me I needed a $1200 repair that wasn't under warranty (3 year old car) I said bull and took it to my normal dealer and they said half of what the other dealer listed as needing replacement was made up, and one small $300 repair was it, and covered by the warranty.

Older Subaru's are great, my friend put 400k on their outback. The new ones have CVT transmissions which I don't like, but everyone I know with a Subie loves theirs.

Being in the insurance business, I hear a lot about cars and reliability. Every company has years/models with issues.
 
I’ve had my Ascent for 4 years now and have been very happy with it. When shopping for a new 3 row SUV I looked at all the usual (Japanese/Korean) suspects: Pilot, Highlander, Pathfinder, Pallisade, and CX9. In the end it was down to the Ascent and the CX9 and the Subaru won out.
 
LabradorGuy said:
Looking to buy family a new car, and they are looking at the Toyota Highlander and the Subaru Forrester or the Subaru Ascent, and possibly the Outback, but they don't like the station wagon look.

They really like the Subaru Forrester, but have never owned a Subaru. There are only a couple dealers in our state, so that is a downside and the nearest dealer is over 60 miles away.

We keep a vehicle a long time 200,000 + miles, so I'm wanting a good reliable vehicle.

What worries me about the Subaru is they all use the CVT transmission and from what I read it is all sealed and a new CVT transmission is pushing 10,000. I've read on Subaru is you get a great one or you've bought a bunch of issues.

The Toyota Highlander uses a standard 8 speed transmission, which I really like the old simple stuff. I'm not into any of the fancy stuff on cars, but they all seem to have the latest electronic stuff, but will be buying the most basic unit to limit all the fancy gadgets. We like the old style knobs and buttons for the AC heat and radio.

Any advice or info anyone could share would be greatly appreciated. Would like some first hand experience from real owners.
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You've forgotten recalls. To me, 60 miles is too far for recalls, and that alone would take Subaru off my shopping list.

I've been driving mostly Subarus for 25 years. They used to be the cheapest way to get 4WD and I can't get out of my Chicago alley in winter without 4WD. I have three Subaru dealers within dealer range, which to me is a 30 minute drive, and one of the three is honest enough for me to deal with. If I had to drive farther I'd be driving something else.

Subaru has five auto plants in Japan and one in Lafayette, Indiana. The Lafayette plant builds the Ascent, Outback, Legacy, and Impreza for the U.S. market. Ota North, Subaru's oldest plant in Japan, is used for storage not production. It was used by Subaru's corporate parent the Nakajima Aircraft Company to build bombers for Japan's navy and fighters for the army air service during WW2.

Subaru entered a close business partnership with Toyota in 2005, sharing Subaru's 4WD street racer designs and Toyota's transmissions. In 2016, Subaru changed it's corporate name from Fuji Heavy Industries to The Subaru Corporation, and sold 12% of itself to Toyota. So when you buy a Subaru nowadays you are also buying a Toyota.

If you want a hybrid vehicle, buy Toyota not Subaru. They share Toyota's hybrid battery technology and design, but Subaru gets Toyota's last generation stuff. If you remember the Toyota-GM joint venture plant in Torrance, California, the Corolla and the Chevy II/Nova were basically the same car, but the Chevy was Corolla's last generation. I call this Toyota-ism.
 
Piso Mojado said:
You've forgotten recalls. To me, 60 miles is too far for recalls, and that alone would take Subaru off my shopping list.

I've been driving mostly Subarus for 25 years. They used to be the cheapest way to get 4WD and I can't get out of my Chicago alley in winter without 4WD. I have three Subaru dealers within dealer range, which to me is a 30 minute drive, and one of the three is honest enough for me to deal with. If I had to drive farther I'd be driving something else.

Subaru has five auto plants in Japan and one in Lafayette, Indiana. The Lafayette plant builds the Ascent, Outback, Legacy, and Impreza for the U.S. market. Ota North, Subaru's oldest plant in Japan, is used for storage not production. It was used by Subaru's corporate parent the Nakajima Aircraft Company to build bombers for Japan's navy and fighters for the army air service during WW2.

Subaru entered a close business partnership with Toyota in 2005, sharing Subaru's 4WD street racer designs and Toyota's transmissions. In 2016, Subaru changed it's corporate name from Fuji Heavy Industries to The Subaru Corporation, and sold 12% of itself to Toyota. So when you buy a Subaru nowadays you are also buying a Toyota.

If you want a hybrid vehicle, buy Toyota not Subaru. They share Toyota's hybrid battery technology and design, but Subaru gets Toyota's last generation stuff. If you remember the Toyota-GM joint venture plant in Torrance, California, the Corolla and the Chevy II/Nova were basically the same car, but the Chevy was Corolla's last generation. I call this Toyota-ism.
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Thanks for all the information. Didn't know all that history of Subaru.
 
Toyotas are frigging great. My wife got a 4Runner over the Highlander because she preferred the ride/seating position/and rear visibility. She loves hers. Several of her co-workers have both models and all love them.

Subarus are very popular up here (about 20% vehicles) with decent ground clearance and all wheel drive.

Good luck with your search.
 
I have a 2014 Tundra and the wife has a 2020 Forrester. The only issue we have had with either vehicle was last week when my wife’s car had a check engine light come on. It ended up being the thermo control valve. It was covered under the powertrain warranty so it wasn’t a huge deal. As I understand there was a design change for new models so hopefully that isn’t an issue anymore. With that being said we really like both vehicles. I would go with the one that has the features you like and not worry so much about the brand.
 
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wonderboy1377s said:
I would go with the one that has the features you like and not worry so much about the brand.
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Whole lotta wisdom in this.

We were in the same boat, trying to choose between the Ascent and the Highlander.

Ended up buying a Mazda CX-9. Darn thing just had the features we liked. Price was within like a candy bar of each other, and dealers for all of them are same distance out.

Edmunds.com was a great resource for us during our search. One of their review articles on the Ascent actually mentioned the CX-9, which got us looking that direction.

I have a Subaru Impreza that had to go through 3 motors before we finally got one that didn't use excessive oil. When the time comes to replace it, it won't be another Subaru.
 
Velitrius said:
Whole lotta wisdom in this.

We were in the same boat, trying to choose between the Ascent and the Highlander.

Ended up buying a Mazda CX-9. Darn thing just had the features we liked. Price was within like a candy bar of each other, and dealers for all of them are same distance out.

Edmunds.com was a great resource for us during our search. One of their review articles on the Ascent actually mentioned the CX-9, which got us looking that direction.

I have a Subaru Impreza that had to go through 3 motors before we finally got one that didn't use excessive oil. When the time comes to replace it, it won't be another Subaru.
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I think Mazda is under represented. I have never met anyone who had one say anything negative about them.

Honda Pilot is a great vehicle as well.

Many great vehicles to choose from.
 
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