Subaru Forester vs Toyota C-HR
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.
Data checked: specs 1 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$45,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$46,940RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Measured rows: Australian Automobile Association Real-World Testing Program (realworld.org.au), the on-road result for the vehicle each test names, shown beside the manufacturer's figures rather than in place of them and never scored. Subaru Forester test page Toyota C-HR test page
Track the Subaru Forester & Toyota C-HR
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Price Breakdown
The Subaru Forester starts from $45,990 before on-road costs, while the Toyota C-HR opens at $46,940. That makes the Subaru Forester the more affordable entry point by $950.
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 $51,634 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Toyota C-HR by roughly $5,560 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Subaru Forester and Toyota C-HR hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 83% for the Subaru Forester and 85% for the Toyota C-HR.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Toyota C-HR, against 4 on the Subaru Forester.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Subaru Forester and 10 in the Toyota C-HR.
Recalls on our record
Subaru Forester
- REC-005831 · published 20 Nov 2023The front drive shaft may not meet manufacturing specifications and the outer race of the front driveshaft may crack.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-001604 · published 2 Jun 2021The rear stabiliser bracket bolts may not have been sufficiently tightened during production.Year range on the notice: 2017 - 2020
- REC-001224 · published 3 Dec 2019Over time the aluminium positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may fracture, allowing the engine to draw an increased amount of engine oil.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2019
- 8 more on the model page.
Toyota C-HR
- REC-005804 · published 23 Oct 2023The internal components of the fuel pump may wear and fracture the welded area of the fuel pump, which could lead to a fuel leak in the engine compartment.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2023
- REC-005068 · published 10 Mar 2022The vehicle's front radar sensor which supports certain driver assistance features, including the Pre-Collision System (PCS) may not have been calibrated during vehicle manufacture.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2021
- REC-001645 · published 20 Jun 2021The internal components of the fuel pump may wear and fracture the welded area of the fuel pump, which could lead to a fuel leak in the engine compartment.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2021
- 1 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Subaru Forester features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Toyota C-HR gets a 12.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Drivetrain
The Subaru Forester uses a Petrol producing 136kW and 247Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout.
The Toyota C-HR responds with a Petrol making 103kW and 142Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.2 seconds.
The Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 103kW. 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, 293mm longer than the Toyota C-HR at 4,362mm (2,640mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Forester generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 496L in the Subaru Forester and 388L in the Toyota C-HR, giving the Subaru Forester a 108L advantage.
For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 725kg. That 1,075kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m 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 10.4m 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 $1,140/year for the Toyota C-HR. That is a $1,112 annual difference in favour of the Toyota C-HR.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Forester) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota C-HR). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 5yr (Subaru Forester)—.
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 Toyota C-HR if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Toyota C-HR: Top CarSorted Score, 81 vs 76, but the Subaru Forester is $950 cheaper
The Toyota C-HR comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (81 vs 76), taking 1 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Toyota C-HR ahead by 35), practicality (Subaru Forester ahead by 17), performance (Subaru Forester ahead by 13). The Toyota C-HR will save you roughly $1,112 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 Toyota C-HR?
The Subaru Forester is the cheapest at $45,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Toyota C-HR by $950.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota C-HR uses the least fuel at 4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Subaru Forester and Toyota C-HR 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 496L with the seats up (1,174L with the seats folded).
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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