Subaru Forester vs Toyota Corolla Cross

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Subaru Forester at 5 stars (2024) and the Toyota Corolla Cross at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2022). 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 85% for the Toyota Corolla Cross, 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 4 on the Toyota Corolla Cross.

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 Corolla Cross.

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.

Feature Showdown

The Subaru Forester features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Corolla Cross gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Subaru Forester stands out with wireless charging and heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the Toyota Corolla Cross. 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 Toyota Corolla Cross responds with a Petrol making 146kW and 188Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.

The Toyota Corolla Cross 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, 195mm longer than the Toyota Corolla Cross at 4,460mm (2,640mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Forester generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 496L in the Subaru Forester and 425L in the Toyota Corolla Cross, giving the Subaru Forester a 71L 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.

The Subaru Forester turns in a 10.8 m circle, kerb to kerb; the Toyota Corolla Cross's turning circle is not on our record.

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 fuel for the Toyota Corolla Cross about $1,197 a year (4.2 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $1,055 a year less for the Toyota Corolla Cross.

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

Where each one leads

The Subaru Forester: the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 425L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 750kg).

The Toyota Corolla Cross: the lower starting price ($37,440 against $45,990), more power (146kW against 136kW) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,197 a year against $2,252).

The Verdict

Toyota Corolla Cross scores higher, 81 vs 76

The Toyota Corolla Cross scores 81 to the Subaru Forester's 76 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Toyota Corolla Cross ahead by 33 points), practicality (Subaru Forester ahead by 16 points), value (Toyota Corolla Cross ahead by 11 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Corolla Cross costs about $1,055 less (4.2 L/100km against 7.9 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 496L in the Subaru Forester, 425L in the Toyota Corolla Cross.

Common questions