Renault Arkana 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.
Data checked: specs 29 Aug 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
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.
$45,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$45,990RRP
- no option data for this car
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.
Track the Renault Arkana & Subaru Forester
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Price Breakdown
The Renault Arkana starts from $45,990 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Forester opens at $45,990. Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
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 $50,589 and $50,589 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Renault Arkana by roughly $2,850 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Renault Arkana
None open on our record
Subaru Forester
- 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
- REC-001224 · published 3 Dec 2019Over time the aluminium positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may fracture, allowing the engine to draw an increased amount of engine oil.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2019
- 8 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.
Feature Showdown
The Renault Arkana features a 9.3-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 Renault Arkana stands out with wireless charging, power tailgate, Bose audio and ambient lighting — 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 Renault Arkana gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth. Climate control is 1-zone in the Renault Arkana and 2-zone in the Subaru Forester.
Drivetrain
The Renault Arkana uses a Petrol producing 116kW and 270Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.4 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 116kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Renault Arkana measures 4,568mm long on a 2,720mm wheelbase, 87mm shorter than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Renault Arkana generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 485L in the Renault Arkana and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 11L advantage.
For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 600kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 10.8m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,682/year for the Renault Arkana and $2,252/year for the Subaru Forester. That is a $570 annual difference in favour of the Renault Arkana.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Renault Arkana) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: —5yr (Subaru Forester).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Renault Arkana if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Renault's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru Forester if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Subaru Forester: Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 71
The Subaru Forester comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (76 vs 71), taking 3 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Subaru Forester ahead by 31), fuel economy (Renault Arkana ahead by 18), reliability (Subaru Forester ahead by 10). The Renault Arkana will save you roughly $570 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Renault Arkana and Subaru Forester?
The Renault Arkana is the cheapest at $45,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Renault Arkana uses the least fuel at 5.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Subaru Forester holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Renault Arkana, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
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 is the most powerful?
The Subaru Forester makes the most power at 136kW.
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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
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