Subaru Forester vs Skoda Karoq
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 Skoda Karoq opens at $44,490. That makes the Skoda Karoq 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 $50,589 and $48,939 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Skoda Karoq by roughly $1,855 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 Skoda Karoq gets a 8-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Skoda Karoq counters with power tailgate, Canton audio 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 Skoda Karoq responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a 8 speed automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds.
The Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 110kW. 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, 265mm longer than the Skoda Karoq at 4,390mm (2,638mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Forester generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 496L in the Subaru Forester and 521L in the Skoda Karoq, giving the Skoda Karoq a 25L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1174L vs 1630L.
For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.2m 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 10.2m 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 $1,881/year for the Skoda Karoq. That is a $371 annual difference in favour of the Skoda Karoq.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester) vs 7 years / 999,999km (Skoda Karoq). The Skoda Karoq has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru Forester if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Skoda Karoq if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Skoda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Skoda Karoq takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Skoda Karoq will save you roughly $371 a year in fuel. The Skoda Karoq adds peace of mind with a longer 7-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 Skoda Karoq?
The Skoda Karoq is the cheapest at $44,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Subaru Forester by $1,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Skoda Karoq uses the least fuel at 6.6L/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 Skoda Karoq, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Skoda Karoq has the largest boot at 521L.
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru Forester has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Skoda Karoq has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
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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