Subaru Forester vs Toyota Prado

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

Both the Subaru Forester and Toyota Prado hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2024. Adult occupant protection scored 83% for the Subaru Forester and 85% for the Toyota Prado.

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 Prado.

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

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 Prado gets a 12.3-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 Prado. 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 Prado responds with a 2.8L 4-cyl Turbo-Diesel 48V V-Active making 150kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.6 seconds.

The Toyota Prado has the clear power advantage at 150kW 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, 335mm shorter than the Toyota Prado at 4,990mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Prado generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 496L in the Subaru Forester and 408L in the Toyota Prado, giving the Subaru Forester a 88L advantage.

For towing, the Toyota Prado leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 1,700kg 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 1.2 m tighter, 10.8 m against 12.0 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 Prado about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $86 a year less for the Toyota Prado.

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

Where each one leads

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $72,500) and the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 408L).

The Toyota Prado: more power (150kW against 136kW), the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 1,800kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,166 a year against $2,252).

The Verdict

Toyota Prado scores higher, 77 vs 76

The Toyota Prado scores 77 to the Subaru Forester's 76 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: value (Subaru Forester ahead by 9 points), practicality (Toyota Prado ahead by 9 points), performance (Toyota Prado ahead by 5 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Prado costs about $86 less (7.6 L/100km against 7.9 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 496L in the Subaru Forester, 408L in the Toyota Prado.

Common questions