Skoda Karoq vs Subaru Forester

What's the difference?

VS
Skoda Karoq
Skoda Karoq

$30,990 - $43,290

2024 price

Subaru Forester
Subaru Forester

$43,490 - $55,990

2026 price

Summary

2024 Skoda Karoq
2026 Subaru Forester
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 1.4L

Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

-
Fuel Efficiency
6.5L/100km (combined)

-
Seating
5

0
Dislikes
  • Dated interior
  • Non-linear power delivery
  • Needs premium unleaded

  • Sluggish acceleration
  • Needs all-terrain tyres
  • Intrusive driver alert system
2024 Skoda Karoq Summary

Typically appealing to those seeking quality engineering and tech without feeling the need to make a boastful badge statement, Skoda is a low-key, ultra-confident brand.

On sale here since 2018, the Skoda Karoq is a comparatively small fish in one of the most hotly contested segments in the Australian new-car market, namely medium SUVs, the leading trio consisting of the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander.

To increase its appeal against these and other high-profile contenders Skoda Australia has introduced a new entry-level Karoq designed to hit the Goldilocks zone between attractive standard specification and sharp pricing. CarsGuide was invited to its local launch.

 

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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

2024 Skoda Karoq 2026 Subaru Forester

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