Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid vs Subaru Forester
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid
From $32,300
SUV
Petrol I4 Turbo + PHEV
255kW
1.4 kWh/100km
5★ ANCAP
475L
Subaru Forester
From $43,490
SUV
Petrol
136kW
7.9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
520L
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Price Breakdown
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid starts from $32,300 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Forester opens at $43,490. That makes the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid the more affordable entry point by $11,190.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $35,530 and $47,839 respectively.
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Subaru Forester, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid by roughly $10,925 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid and Subaru Forester hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 82% for the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid and 83% for the Subaru Forester.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 4 in the Subaru Forester.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid and 9 in the Subaru Forester.
Feature Showdown
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid features a 12.3-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.
Interior trim differs: the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid uses a Petrol I4 Turbo + PHEV producing 255kW and 215Nm of torque, sent through a 1-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (dht) to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.5 seconds.
The Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 226Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.2 seconds.
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid has the clear power advantage at 255kW vs 136kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid measures 4,535mm long on a 2,653mm wheelbase, 120mm shorter than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Forester generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 475L in the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid and 520L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 45L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.2m
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $67/year for the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid and $2,252/year for the Subaru Forester. That is a $2,185 annual difference in favour of the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid.
Estimated annual total: $67 (Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid) vs $2,252 (Subaru Forester). The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid saves you roughly $2,185 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 7 years (Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester). The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Forester if: You need more boot space, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid takes 5 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid will save you roughly $2,185 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Subaru Forester has a clear edge. The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid and Subaru Forester?
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid is the cheapest at $32,300 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Forester by $11,190.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid uses the least fuel at 1.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid and Subaru Forester all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru Forester has the largest boot at 520L.
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru Forester has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid has the longest warranty at 7 years / 0k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid makes the most power at 255kW. The Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid is quickest to 100km/h in 9.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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