Holden Captiva vs Subaru Forester
What's the difference?

Holden Captiva

$4,900 - $18,000

2017 price

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Subaru Forester

$43,490 - $55,990

2026 price

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Summary

2017 Holden Captiva

2026 Subaru Forester

By Peter Anderson

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L

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Fuel Type

Diesel

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Fuel Efficiency

8.2L/100km (combined)

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Seating

Likes

It's cheap
It's big
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Nice interior
Refined on-road
Suitably capable off-road

Dislikes

It's old
It's a bit noisy
Lacks the finesse of the competition

Sluggish acceleration
Needs all-terrain tyres
Intrusive driver alert system

2017 Holden Captiva Summary

Holden wasn't the first manufacturer to find itself bereft of a big SUV when the fuse was lit by BMW and Mercedes as the last millennium came to a close. Ford responded with the Territory while Holden jacked-up a V8 Commodore and slapped the Adventra badge on it. Sadly, it didn't work, and so the Captiva was the next best option, procured from what was then called Daewoo.

As a result of that that little blip on the economic radar, the GFC, and an on-going re-organisation of General Motors, the Korean-built Captiva has lasted rather longer than anyone expected.

It first launched with two bodystyles, but is now down to one, the bigger and more practical seven seat body shell.

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2026 Subaru Forester Summary

The sixth-generation of Subaru’s Forester has landed and while the new hybrid versions constitute the biggest news of this batch, the petrol-only variants should not be ignored.

The five-seat mid-size SUV has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder 'boxer' engine, Subaru’s well-regarded 'symmetrical all-wheel drive' system and some new changes inside and out.

So, does the top-spec Touring offer the best value-for-money in the petrol Forester line-up?

Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2017 Holden Captiva 2026 Subaru Forester

Verdict

The Captiva is very, very long in the tooth and is heading towards retirement some time in the next twelve months. Before then, it's a lot of car for the money, particularly the seven seat LS. It's not fast, flash or futuristic but it will do the job and with all of the early problems sorted, will probably do it for quite some time.

The Captiva's low scores are mostly to do with the car just being old and feeling it, with dodgier plastics, slightly undercooked ride and handling and a lack of engine and safety tech. It doesn't mean it's a terrible car, because it isn't and Holden papers up the cracks with a low starting price and good after-sales.

Verdict

The MY26 Subaru Forester packs plenty of punch in terms of standard features, a roomy and functional interior and overall driveability. Sure, it’s not the most exciting vehicle to drive on- or off-road but to get stuck on that is to miss the point entirely. This is a decent all-rounder with a solid background and an AWD system that long ago set the gold standard for vehicles of this type.

In a tough mid-size SUV market segment aimed more at those intent on driving through car parks rather than adventuring through national parks, the Forester offers greater versatility than most and should not be ignored.

Holden Captiva vs Subaru Forester What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Holden Captiva vs Subaru Forester
What's the difference?