Nissan ARIYA vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Nissan ARIYA 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 Nissan ARIYA 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 7 in the Nissan ARIYA 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.

Charging times

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.

Feature Showdown

The Nissan ARIYA 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 Nissan ARIYA stands out with head-up display 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 Nissan ARIYA gets nappa leather upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth.

Drivetrain

The Nissan ARIYA uses a Electric producing 160kW and 300Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8 seconds.

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

The Nissan ARIYA has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 136kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Nissan ARIYA measures 4,595mm long on a 2,775mm wheelbase, 60mm shorter than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan ARIYA generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 466L in the Nissan ARIYA and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 30L advantage.

For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 1,050kg 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 0.7 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.5 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Nissan ARIYA costs about $888 a year (18.5 kWh/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.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Nissan ARIYA) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Forester). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Nissan ARIYA), 5 years (Subaru Forester).

Where each one leads

The Nissan ARIYA: more power (160kW against 136kW).

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $55,840), the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 466L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 750kg).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 73

The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the Nissan ARIYA's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 4 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: practicality (Subaru Forester ahead by 12 points), safety (Subaru Forester ahead by 4 points), performance (Nissan ARIYA ahead by 4 points).

Common questions