2009 Toyota RAV4 Edges Out 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X in New Test

"The RAV4 and Forester are both excellent choices," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center, in a statement on Monday. "The Forester has a slightly more comfortable ride, and the RAV4 is a bit more sparing with fuel."

The RAV4 was described as a "well-rounded package" and lauded for its optional third-row seat.

The RAV4, Escape and Mariner are the only vehicles from this test group to get the "recommended" label by Consumer Reports. It only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on its Annual Car Reliability Survey of more than 7 million print and Web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

Patriot scored too low in Consumer Reports' tests to be recommended, and there is no reliability data for the Grand Vitara with a four-cylinder engine. The small Jeep SUV was blasted for "tight quarters, a noisy engine, lack of agility and impaired view."

Inside Line says: Two Japanese SUVs shine in the latest batch of Consumer Reports testing, while Jeep clearly has some more work to do to catch up. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent