Subaru Forester vs Toyota Yaris Cross

Price and cost per week

Standard features per $10,000: not ranked, too few features are known for both cars. On the rated figures, the Subaru Forester leads on price per kw: $338 per kW on RRP for the Subaru Forester; $374 per kW on RRP for the Toyota Yaris Cross. On the rated figures, the Toyota Yaris Cross leads on price per litre of boot: $93 per litre of boot on RRP for the Subaru Forester; $82 per litre of boot on RRP for the Toyota Yaris Cross. These ratios are not part of the CarSorted Score.

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Subaru Forester at 5 stars (2024) and the Toyota Yaris Cross 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 86% for the Toyota Yaris 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 5 on the Toyota Yaris 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 Yaris 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 Yaris 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 Yaris 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 Yaris Cross responds with a 1.5L 3-cyl Hybrid making 85kW and 120Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.8 seconds.

The Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 85kW. 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, 475mm longer than the Toyota Yaris Cross at 4,180mm (2,560mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Forester generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 496L in the Subaru Forester and 390L in the Toyota Yaris Cross, giving the Subaru Forester a 106L advantage.

For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 400kg. That 1,400kg 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 Toyota Yaris Cross's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 10.6 m against 10.8 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 $2,311 a year (7.9 L/100km, at $1.95/L petrol) and fuel for the Toyota Yaris Cross about $1,112 a year (3.8 L/100km, at $1.95/L petrol). That is $1,199 a year less for the Toyota Yaris Cross.

The weekly and 5-year figures in the price section above add repayments, rego, servicing and tyres to this; use our Fuel Cost Calculator for your own driving.

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

Where each one leads

The Subaru Forester: more power (136kW against 85kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 390L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 400kg).

The Toyota Yaris Cross: the lower starting price ($31,790 against $45,990) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,112 a year against $2,311).

The Verdict

Toyota Yaris Cross scores higher, 77 vs 76

The Toyota Yaris Cross scores 77 to the Subaru Forester's 76 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Toyota Yaris Cross ahead by 35 points), technology (Subaru Forester ahead by 23 points), practicality (Subaru Forester ahead by 18 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Yaris Cross costs about $1,199 less (3.8 L/100km against 7.9 L/100km, at $1.95/L petrol). Boot space with the seats up: 496L in the Subaru Forester, 390L in the Toyota Yaris Cross.

Common questions