Subaru Forester vs Lexus UX
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Subaru Forester starts from $45,990 before on-road costs, while the Lexus UX opens at $55,370. That makes the Subaru Forester the more affordable entry point by $9,380.
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 $60,907 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus UX by roughly $5,275 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 Lexus UX gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus UX counters with heated front seats, power tailgate, Lexus Premium Sound audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Subaru Forester gets cloth upholstery while the Lexus UX offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Subaru Forester uses a Petrol producing 136kW and 247Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout.
The Lexus UX responds with a Hybrid making 146kW and 188Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Lexus UX has the clear power advantage at 146kW vs 136kW. 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, 160mm longer than the Lexus UX at 4,495mm (2,640mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Forester generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 496L in the Subaru Forester and 320L in the Lexus UX, giving the Subaru Forester a 176L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.2m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m 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 $1,197/year for the Lexus UX. That is a $1,055 annual difference in favour of the Lexus UX.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester) vs 4 years / 100,000km (Lexus UX). The Subaru Forester has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: —4yr (Lexus UX).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru Forester if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus UX if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Subaru Forester takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Lexus UX will save you roughly $1,055 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Subaru Forester has a clear edge. The Subaru Forester adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. 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 Lexus UX?
The Subaru Forester is the cheapest at $45,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus UX by $9,380.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus UX uses the least fuel at 4.2L/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 Lexus UX, 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 has the best warranty?
The Subaru Forester has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus UX makes the most power at 146kW.
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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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