Renault Symbioz 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.
Renault Symbioz
From $42,990
SUV
Hybrid
Inline 4
116kW
4.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
492L
Subaru Forester
From $43,490
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
136kW
7.9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
496L
Track the Renault Symbioz & Subaru Forester
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Price Breakdown
The Renault Symbioz starts from $42,990 before on-road costs, while the Subaru Forester opens at $43,490. That makes the Renault Symbioz the more affordable entry point by $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 $47,289 and $47,839 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Renault Symbioz by roughly $4,560 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.
Feature Showdown
The Renault Symbioz features a 10.4-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.
Drivetrain
The Renault Symbioz uses a Inline 4 producing 116kW and 149Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.6 seconds.
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 Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 116kW. In the real-world sprint, the Renault Symbioz is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Renault Symbioz measures 4,413mm long on a 2,638mm wheelbase, 242mm 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 492L in the Renault Symbioz and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 4L 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.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.1m
Based on 11.1m 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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,340/year for the Renault Symbioz and $2,252/year for the Subaru Forester. That is a $912 annual difference in favour of the Renault Symbioz.
Estimated annual total: $1,340 (Renault Symbioz) vs $2,252 (Subaru Forester). The Renault Symbioz saves you roughly $912 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Renault Symbioz) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Renault Symbioz if: You want the lower entry price, 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
This is genuinely close. The Renault Symbioz and Subaru Forester trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Renault Symbioz will save you roughly $912 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 Symbioz and Subaru Forester?
The Renault Symbioz is the cheapest at $42,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Forester by $500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Renault Symbioz uses the least fuel at 4.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — 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 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. The Renault Symbioz is quickest to 100km/h in 10.6s.
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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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