Subaru Forester vs Toyota Kluger

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Subaru Forester at 5 stars (2024) and the Toyota Kluger at 5 stars (2021). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2021). 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 90% for the Toyota Kluger, 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 Kluger.

Both include the essentials: lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Subaru Forester and 7 in the Toyota Kluger.

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 Kluger 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 Kluger. 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 Kluger responds with a 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid making 184kW and 242Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.

The Toyota Kluger has the clear power advantage at 184kW 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, 311mm shorter than the Toyota Kluger at 4,966mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Kluger generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 496L in the Subaru Forester and 241L in the Toyota Kluger, giving the Subaru Forester a 255L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1174L vs 1150L. The Toyota Kluger seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Toyota Kluger leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 200kg 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 0.6 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.4 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 fuel for the Toyota Kluger about $1,596 a year (5.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $656 a year less for the Toyota Kluger.

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

Where each one leads

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $62,410) and the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 241L).

The Toyota Kluger: more power (184kW against 136kW), the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 1,800kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,596 a year against $2,252).

The Verdict

Toyota Kluger scores higher, 78 vs 76

The Toyota Kluger scores 78 to the Subaru Forester's 76 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Toyota Kluger ahead by 20 points), performance (Toyota Kluger ahead by 6 points), safety (Subaru Forester ahead by 4 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Kluger costs about $656 less (5.6 L/100km against 7.9 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 496L in the Subaru Forester, 241L in the Toyota Kluger.

Common questions