Subaru Forester vs Toyota bZ4X

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Subaru Forester at 5 stars (2024) and the Toyota bZ4X at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 83% for the Subaru Forester and 88% for the Toyota bZ4X, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Subaru Forester, against 5 on the Toyota bZ4X.

Both include the essentials: lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Subaru Forester and 8 in the Toyota bZ4X.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Charging times

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.

Feature Showdown

The Subaru Forester features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Toyota bZ4X gets a 14-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Toyota bZ4X counters with power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Subaru Forester gets cloth upholstery while the Toyota bZ4X 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 Toyota bZ4X responds with a Electric making 167kW and 269Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds.

The Toyota bZ4X has the clear power advantage at 167kW 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, 35mm shorter than the Toyota bZ4X at 4,690mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota bZ4X generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 496L in the Subaru Forester and 452L in the Toyota bZ4X, giving the Subaru Forester a 44L 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.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Subaru Forester's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.2 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Subaru Forester costs about $2,252 a year (7.9 L/100km) and electricity for the Toyota bZ4X about $662 a year (13.8 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Forester) and 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota bZ4X). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Subaru Forester), no data (Toyota bZ4X).

Where each one leads

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $55,990), the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 452L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 750kg).

The Toyota bZ4X: more power (167kW against 136kW).

The Verdict

Toyota bZ4X scores higher, 80 vs 76

The Toyota bZ4X scores 80 to the Subaru Forester's 76 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 1 of the 4 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: practicality (Subaru Forester ahead by 10 points), performance (Toyota bZ4X ahead by 6 points). Boot space with the seats up: 496L in the Subaru Forester, 452L in the Toyota bZ4X.

Common questions