Subaru Forester vs Alfa Romeo Junior
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.
Subaru Forester
From $45,990
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
136kW
7.9 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
496L
Alfa Romeo Junior
From $45,900
SUV
Petrol
Petrol MHEV
107kW
4.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
415L
Track the Subaru Forester & Alfa Romeo Junior
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Price Breakdown
The Subaru Forester starts from $45,990 before on-road costs, while the Alfa Romeo Junior opens at $45,900. That makes the Alfa Romeo Junior the more affordable entry point by $90.
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 $50,490 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Alfa Romeo Junior by roughly $5,415 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 Subaru Forester features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Alfa Romeo Junior gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Alfa Romeo Junior counters with wireless charging, power tailgate and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Subaru Forester uses a Petrol producing 136kW and 247Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout.
The Alfa Romeo Junior responds with a Petrol MHEV making 107kW and 230Nm, paired to a dct driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.
The Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 107kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru Forester measures 4,655mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 485mm longer than the Alfa Romeo Junior at 4,170mm (2,557mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Forester generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 496L in the Subaru Forester and 415L in the Alfa Romeo Junior, giving the Subaru Forester a 81L advantage.
For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 500kg. That 1,300kg 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 $2,252/year for the Subaru Forester and $1,169/year for the Alfa Romeo Junior. That is a $1,083 annual difference in favour of the Alfa Romeo Junior.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester) vs 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Junior). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
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.
Buy the Alfa Romeo Junior if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Subaru Forester takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Alfa Romeo Junior will save you roughly $1,083 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Subaru Forester has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Subaru Forester and Alfa Romeo Junior?
The Alfa Romeo Junior is the cheapest at $45,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Forester by $90.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Alfa Romeo Junior uses the least fuel at 4.1L/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 Alfa Romeo Junior, 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.
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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