Kia Sportage vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Kia Sportage 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 87% for the Kia Sportage 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 the Subaru Forester, against 5 on the Kia Sportage.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Kia Sportage 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 Kia Sportage features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-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.

Drivetrain

The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.

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 115kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Kia Sportage measures 4,685mm long on a 2,755mm wheelbase, 30mm longer than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Kia Sportage a 47L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1829L vs 1174L.

For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. That 150kg 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 0.6 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.4 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 Kia Sportage costs about $2,309 a year (8.1 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 $57 a year less for the Subaru Forester.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Sportage) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Forester). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia Sportage), 5 years (Subaru Forester).

Where each one leads

The Kia Sportage: the lower starting price ($38,490 against $45,990), the bigger boot with the seats up (543L against 496L) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Subaru Forester: more power (136kW against 115kW), the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 1,650kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,252 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Level at 76: here's what splits them

The Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester are level on the CarSorted Score at 76 each, so neither takes the overall call. What splits them: reliability (Kia Sportage ahead by 5 points), safety (Subaru Forester ahead by 4 points), value (Kia Sportage ahead by 4 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Subaru Forester costs about $57 less (7.9 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 543L in the Kia Sportage, 496L in the Subaru Forester. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia Sportage, 5 on the Subaru Forester.

Common questions