GWM ORA vs Subaru Forester
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 75
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Aug 2026, price 29 Oct 2026
GWM ORA
15 of 27 standard · no option data · 12 no dataFrom
$31,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Hatchback
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 126kW
- Energy use
- 16.6 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 228L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Subaru Forester
18 of 27 standard · no option data · 9 no dataFrom
$45,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 136kW
- Economy
- 7.9 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2024
- Boot (seats up)
- 496L
Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 75, but the GWM ORA is $14,000 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$31,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$45,990RRP
- with the GWM ORA's standard kit: $45,990 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
GWM ORA Lux
$31,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 25 June 2026
$34,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by GWM Australia
Subaru Forester AWD
$45,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 29 Oct 2026
$45,990 drive-away in NSW, as published by Subaru Australia
Both totals exclude insurance, so the lowest is on the same parts.
Every column on the same basis: 15,000 km a year (fixed for every comparison) in VIC, repayment assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Each car's fuel or charging price is in its own breakdown. Estimate only, not a quote or an offer of credit.
Both totals exclude insurance, so the lowest is on the same parts.
Cash outlay over 5 years: the deposit, the repayments and the running costs. Excludes resale value. Every column on the same basis: 15,000 km a year in VIC, repayment assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Estimate only, not a quote or an offer of credit.
Standard features per $10,000: not ranked, too few features are known for both cars. On the rated figures, the GWM ORA leads on price per kw: $254 per kW on RRP for the GWM ORA; $338 per kW on RRP for the Subaru Forester. On the rated figures, the Subaru Forester leads on price per litre of boot: $140 per litre of boot on RRP for the GWM ORA; $93 per litre of boot on RRP for the Subaru Forester. These ratios are not part of the CarSorted Score.
The GWM ORA starts $14,000 lower on RRP.
The GWM ORA currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Subaru Forester does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
CarSorted
Looking for your next car?
We help you research it, compare it and ask for a price.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$139/wk(≈$601/mo)
Estimate on the GWM ORA at $34,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the GWM ORADriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the GWM ORA 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 92% for the GWM ORA 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 6 in the GWM ORA and 9 in the Subaru Forester.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the GWM ORA and 7 on the Subaru Forester.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
GWM ORA
- REC-005843 · published 4 Dec 2023Due to a programming issue, if the operator removes the charging cable without cancelling the charge, an electrical arc between the charging plug and the vehicle may occur.Year range on the notice: 2023
Subaru Forester
- REC-006737 · published 7 Oct 2026Due to a manufacturing defect in the intermediate case of the transaxle, cracks may develop in the support section of the parking pawl.Year range on the notice: 2026
- REC-005831 · published 20 Nov 2023The front drive shaft may not meet manufacturing specifications and the outer race of the front driveshaft may crack.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-001604 · published 2 Jun 2021The rear stabiliser bracket bolts may not have been sufficiently tightened during production.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2020
- 9 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging and range
The rated figures side by side: electric range and fuel use with the battery depleted for a plug-in hybrid or range extender, the km each battery-electric car adds overnight on its own onboard charger, and the DC time in the window each document prints.
| 2026 GWM ORA Lux | 2026 Subaru Forester AWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Battery electric | Petrol or diesel |
| Added overnight, 10A power point (2.4 kW) | 145 km in 10 h | Not applicable |
| Added overnight, 7.4 kW wallbox | 358 km in 10 hCapped: this car accepts 6.6 kW AC, a full battery | Not applicable |
| DC fast charge, as printed | 35 min, 0-80% | Not applicable |
| Charging connector | CCS2 | Not applicable |
| Portable charger supplied | No data | Not applicable |
| Type 2 cable supplied | No data | Not applicable |
| Front boot | No data | No data |
- Km added in 10 hours: the charger rate, capped by the car's own onboard charger, over its own rated energy use. A car without an onboard charger or energy figure is No data, never an assumed rate.
- DC times are printed only in the window the document gives (0-80% or 10-80%). Different windows are not one measure, so nobody leads across them.
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
59kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 80kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (6.6kW AC, 80kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The GWM ORA features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-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 Subaru Forester counters with wireless charging and heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the GWM ORA gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth. Climate control is 1-zone in the GWM ORA and 2-zone in the Subaru Forester.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The GWM ORA uses a Electric producing 126kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.4 seconds.
The Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 247Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.
The Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 126kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The GWM ORA measures 4,235mm long on a 2,650mm wheelbase, 420mm 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 228L in the GWM ORA and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 268L advantage.
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 0.4 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.2 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Front boot (frunk)
GWM ORA
No data
Subaru Forester
No data
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the GWM ORA costs about $743 a year (16.6 kWh/100km, at $0.30/kWh electricity) and fuel for the Subaru Forester about $2,311 a year (7.9 L/100km, at $1.95/L petrol).
The weekly and 5-year figures in the price section above add repayments, rego, servicing and tyres to this; use our Fuel Cost Calculator for your own driving.
Warranty: 7 years / unlimited km (GWM ORA) and 5 years / unlimited km (Subaru Forester). Capped-price servicing: no data (GWM ORA), 5 years (Subaru Forester).
- No break-even: the GWM ORA costs less to buy and less in energy.
Energy only. Excludes servicing, rego, insurance, finance interest and resale. Prices are compared only on one basis.
Where each one leads
The GWM ORA: the lower starting price ($31,990 against $45,990) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Subaru Forester: more power (136kW against 126kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 228L).
The Verdict
Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 75
The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the GWM ORA's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 4 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: practicality (Subaru Forester ahead by 23 points), value (GWM ORA ahead by 12 points). Boot space with the seats up: 228L in the GWM ORA, 496L in the Subaru Forester. Warranty: 7 years on the GWM ORA, 5 on the Subaru Forester.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$139/wk(≈$601/mo)
Estimate on the GWM ORA at $34,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the GWM ORADriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, GWM ORA and Subaru Forester?
The GWM ORA is the cheapest at $31,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Forester by $14,000.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
GWM ORA holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and Subaru Forester holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 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. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru Forester has the largest boot at 496L with the seats up (1,174L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru Forester has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The GWM ORA has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru Forester makes the most power at 136kW.
Track the GWM ORA & Subaru Forester
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
