Subaru Forester vs Volkswagen Tayron

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Subaru Forester at 5 stars (2024) and the Volkswagen Tayron at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2025). 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 87% for the Volkswagen Tayron, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Volkswagen Tayron, against 7 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 9 in the Volkswagen Tayron.

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 Volkswagen Tayron gets a 12.9-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Subaru Forester stands out with heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Tayron. The Volkswagen Tayron counters with power tailgate and ambient lighting. 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 Volkswagen Tayron responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels.

The Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 110kW. 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, 137mm shorter than the Volkswagen Tayron at 4,792mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Tayron generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 496L in the Subaru Forester and 345L in the Volkswagen Tayron, giving the Subaru Forester a 151L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1174L vs 1905L. The Volkswagen Tayron seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Volkswagen Tayron leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 0kg 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 1.3 m tighter, 10.8 m against 12.1 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 Volkswagen Tayron 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 Volkswagen Tayron.

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

Where each one leads

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $48,290), more power (136kW against 110kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 345L).

The Volkswagen Tayron: lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,166 a year against $2,252).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 73

The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the Volkswagen Tayron's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 4 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (Subaru Forester ahead by 15 points), reliability (Subaru Forester ahead by 7 points), safety (Subaru Forester ahead by 3 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Volkswagen Tayron 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, 345L in the Volkswagen Tayron.

Common questions