# Subaru Forester AWD VS. Toyota RAV4 with on Demand 4WD

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-awd-vs-toyota-rav4-with-on-demand-4wd/31889>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 14, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-awd-vs-toyota-rav4-with-on-demand-4wd/31889 "2009-06-14T23:04:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![steved](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@steved](https://community.cartalk.com/u/steved)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-awd-vs-toyota-rav4-with-on-demand-4wd/31889/1 "2009-06-14T23:04:01Z")

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What will perform better in the ice and snow, and going up and down a long steep driveway? a Subaru Forester or the Toyota RAV4 with their ability to lock the differential on the 4 wheel drive system?

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-awd-vs-toyota-rav4-with-on-demand-4wd/31889/2 "2009-06-14T23:14:47Z")

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You can search YouTube for comparisons of Subaru vs. the others. It’s fun to watch.

There is no AWD system superior to Subaru’s. I said “AWD,” that’s not the same as 4WD.

The Subaru AWD system will drive the vehicle when the others won’t.

I own a Subaru with AWD and a pickup truck with 4WD. I prefer driving the Subaru when there’s snow on the roads.

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**Author:** ![steved](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@steved](https://community.cartalk.com/u/steved)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-awd-vs-toyota-rav4-with-on-demand-4wd/31889/3 "2009-06-14T23:22:44Z")

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what about on a long steep driveway? would the 4 wheel drive be superior for climbing, descending that? I don’t quite understand the difference between subarus AWD and a 4WD on that type of situation. seems they are both send ing power to all wheels?

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**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subaru-forester-awd-vs-toyota-rav4-with-on-demand-4wd/31889/4 "2009-06-14T23:49:18Z")

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With the diff locked on a RAV4 (current generation) it would be about the same as a Subaru AWD. I have Subaru AWD and my sister RAV4 with diff lock.

I will say the Toyota AWD in current generation is awful(worthless) in some situations without the diff lock especially if not available.