MG QS 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.
MG QS
From $46,990
SUV
Petrol
2.0L Turbo Petrol
153kW
8.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
203L
Subaru Forester
From $43,490
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
136kW
7.9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
496L
Track the MG QS & Subaru Forester
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The MG QS starts from $46,990 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Forester opens at $43,490. That makes the Subaru Forester the more affordable entry point by $3,500.
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 $51,689 and $47,839 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
Both the MG QS and Subaru Forester hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the MG QS and 83% for the Subaru Forester.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The MG QS packs more ADAS features with 7 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 MG QS and 9 in the Subaru Forester. The MG QS adds a 360-degree camera that the Subaru Forester misses.
Feature Showdown
The MG QS 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 MG QS stands out with panoramic roof, power tailgate and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Subaru Forester. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the MG QS gets fabric upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth. Climate control is 3-zone in the MG QS and 2-zone in the Subaru Forester.
Drivetrain
The MG QS uses a 2.0L Turbo Petrol producing 153kW and 360Nm 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. It gets to 100km/h in 11.2 seconds.
The MG QS has the clear power advantage at 153kW vs 136kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The MG QS measures 4,983mm long on a 2,915mm wheelbase, 328mm longer than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the MG QS generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 203L in the MG QS and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 293L advantage. The MG QS seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the MG QS leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m diameter
Good
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.4 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,394/year for the MG QS and $2,252/year for the Subaru Forester. That is a $142 annual difference in favour of the Subaru Forester.
Estimated annual total: $2,394 (MG QS) vs $2,252 (Subaru Forester). The Subaru Forester saves you roughly $142 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 10 years / 250,000km (MG QS) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester). The MG QS has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the MG QS if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer MG's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Forester if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The MG QS and Subaru Forester trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Subaru Forester will save you roughly $142 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Subaru Forester has a clear edge. The MG QS adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, MG QS and Subaru Forester?
The Subaru Forester is the cheapest at $43,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the MG QS by $3,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Subaru Forester uses the least fuel at 7.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — MG QS 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 496L.
Which can tow the most?
The MG QS has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The MG QS has the longest warranty at 10 years / 250k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The MG QS makes the most power at 153kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
