Subaru Forester vs Renault Symbioz
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.
Price Breakdown
The Subaru Forester starts from $43,490 before on-road costs, while the Renault Symbioz opens at $44,990. That makes the Subaru Forester the more affordable entry point by $1,500.
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 $47,839 and $49,489 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Renault Symbioz by roughly $4,990 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Subaru Forester and Renault Symbioz hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Subaru Forester packs more ADAS features with 4 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 3 in the Renault Symbioz.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control.
Feature Showdown
The Subaru Forester features a 11.6-inch touchscreen, while the Renault Symbioz gets a 10.4-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments.
Drivetrain
The Subaru Forester uses a Petrol producing 136kW and 226Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 11.2 seconds.
The Renault Symbioz responds with a Inline 4 making 70kW and 149Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.6 seconds.
The Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 70kW. 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 Subaru Forester measures 4,655mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 242mm longer than the Renault Symbioz at 4,413mm (2,638mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Forester generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 520L in the Subaru Forester and 434L in the Renault Symbioz, giving the Subaru Forester a 86L advantage.
For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 750kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m diameter
Good
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 $2,309/year for the Subaru Forester and $1,311/year for the Renault Symbioz. That is a $998 annual difference in favour of the Renault Symbioz.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Subaru Forester) vs $1,311 (Renault Symbioz). The Renault Symbioz saves you roughly $998 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Renault Symbioz). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru Forester if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Renault Symbioz if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Renault'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 Renault Symbioz will save you roughly $998 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 Renault Symbioz?
The Subaru Forester is the cheapest at $43,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Renault Symbioz by $1,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Renault Symbioz uses the least fuel at 4.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Subaru Forester and Renault Symbioz 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 520L.
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru Forester has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
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.
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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