Audi Q7 vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Audi Q7 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Audi Q7 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Forester gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Audi Q7 stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Forester. The Subaru Forester counters with wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Audi Q7 gets leather upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the Audi Q7 and 2-zone in the Subaru Forester.

Drivetrain

The Audi Q7 uses a 4-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection system, turbocharging producing 185kW and 370Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed tiptronic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds.

The Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 247Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.

The Audi Q7 has the clear power advantage at 185kW vs 136kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Audi Q7 measures 5,052mm long on a 2,994mm wheelbase, 397mm longer than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi Q7 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 780L in the Audi Q7 and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Audi Q7 a 284L advantage. The Audi Q7 seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Audi Q7 leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Subaru Forester's turning circle is 1.7 m tighter, 10.8 m against 12.5 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Audi Q7 costs about $2,651 a year (9.3 L/100km) and fuel for the Subaru Forester about $2,252 a year (7.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $399 a year less for the Subaru Forester.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi Q7) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Forester). Capped-price servicing: no data (Audi Q7), 5 years (Subaru Forester).

Where each one leads

The Audi Q7: more power (185kW against 136kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (780L against 496L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 1,800kg).

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $108,815) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,252 a year against $2,651).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 66

The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the Audi Q7's 66 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Subaru Forester ahead by 29 points), value (Subaru Forester ahead by 24 points), performance (Audi Q7 ahead by 16 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Subaru Forester costs about $399 less (7.9 L/100km against 9.3 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 780L in the Audi Q7, 496L in the Subaru Forester.

Common questions