Ford Everest vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Ford Everest at 5 stars (2022) and the Subaru Forester at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the Ford Everest and 83% for the Subaru Forester, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Ford Everest and 9 in the Subaru Forester.

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 Ford Everest features a 12-inch touchscreen paired with a 8-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 Ford Everest stands out with ventilated seats and power tailgate — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Forester. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Ford Everest gets leather upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth.

Drivetrain

The Ford Everest uses a Diesel V6 Turbo producing 184kW and 600Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a 4WD layout.

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

The Ford Everest has the clear power advantage at 184kW vs 136kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Ford Everest measures 4,914mm long on a 2,900mm wheelbase, 259mm longer than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Ford Everest generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 259L in the Ford Everest and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 237L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1823L vs 1174L. The Ford Everest seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Ford Everest leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 1,700kg 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 1.0 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.8 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 Ford Everest costs about $2,423 a year (8.5 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 $171 a year less for the Subaru Forester.

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

Where each one leads

The Ford Everest: more power (184kW against 136kW) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 1,800kg).

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $68,990), the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 259L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,252 a year against $2,423).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 75

The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the Ford Everest's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Ford Everest ahead by 15 points), practicality (Ford Everest ahead by 10 points), value (Subaru Forester ahead by 9 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Subaru Forester costs about $171 less (7.9 L/100km against 8.5 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 259L in the Ford Everest, 496L in the Subaru Forester.

Common questions