Randy Brooks, please tell us
Randy Brooks, please tell us how you know "AMCI is legit." Are you guessing, the same as you are by saying the 6 spd automatic is an advantage? The Forester is 0.3 seconds faster to 60 according to Consumer Reports (8.7 versus 9.0 sec) and the Forester gets better gas mileage 26 mpg overall in Consumer Report testing versus 24 for the Rav4. The EPA also rates the Forester considerably better in fuel economy. The engines are very similar in displacement, torque, and horsepower. The Subaru is further disadvantaged by being a full time all wheel drive, while Toyota prides itself as being front wheel drive and more fuel efficient until there is slippage. I would say the facts point to a superior CVT transmission in the Forester, particular since the 2013 model with the old transmission (but mostly everything else the same) was slower and more thirsty.