Chery Tiggo 7 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.
Price Breakdown
The Chery Tiggo 7 starts from $27,500 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Forester opens at $43,490. That makes the Chery Tiggo 7 the more affordable entry point by $15,990.
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 $30,250 and $47,839 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Chery Tiggo 7 by roughly $1,425 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Chery Tiggo 7 and Subaru Forester hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 82% for the Chery Tiggo 7 and 83% for the Subaru Forester.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Chery Tiggo 7 packs more ADAS features with 5 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 7 in the Chery Tiggo 7 and 9 in the Subaru Forester.
Feature Showdown
The Chery Tiggo 7 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.
The Chery Tiggo 7 stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Subaru Forester. The Subaru Forester counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Chery Tiggo 7 uses a Petrol producing 108kW and 210Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed dct 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 Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 108kW. In the real-world sprint, the Chery Tiggo 7 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 measures 4,540mm long on a 2,661mm wheelbase, 115mm 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 and 520L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 45L advantage.
For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning 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 $1,967/year for the Chery Tiggo 7 and $2,252/year for the Subaru Forester. That is a $285 annual difference in favour of the Chery Tiggo 7.
Estimated annual total: $1,967 (Chery Tiggo 7) vs $2,252 (Subaru Forester). The Chery Tiggo 7 saves you roughly $285 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Chery Tiggo 7) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester). The Chery Tiggo 7 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Chery Tiggo 7 if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Chery's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Forester if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Chery Tiggo 7 takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Chery Tiggo 7 will save you roughly $285 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Subaru Forester has a clear edge. The Chery Tiggo 7 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 and Subaru Forester?
The Chery Tiggo 7 is the cheapest at $27,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Forester by $15,990.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Chery Tiggo 7 uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Chery Tiggo 7 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 Chery Tiggo 7 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Chery Tiggo 7 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru Forester makes the most power at 136kW. The Chery Tiggo 7 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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