Subaru Forester vs Toyota Prius

What's the difference?

VS
Subaru Forester
Subaru Forester

$43,490 - $55,990

2026 price

Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius

2021 price

Summary

2026 Subaru Forester
2021 Toyota Prius
Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 1.8L
Fuel Type
-

Unleaded Petrol/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
-

3.4L/100km (combined)
Seating
0

5
Dislikes
  • Sluggish acceleration
  • Needs all-terrain tyres
  • Intrusive driver alert system

  • Polarising exterior
  • Dorky central instrument cluster
  • Not so engaging to drive
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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2021 Toyota Prius Summary

What to say about the Toyota Prius in 2021? A car that was once a technology trailblazer seems now to have become properly retro, even while it’s still being built and sold.

The awkward-looking wedge, an eco-punk icon, not only brought Toyota’s hybrid synergy drive to the masses, it also debuted the brand’s excellent TNGA architecture and set the scene for the company's absurd hybrid success, which now sees the RAV4 version topping the sales charts.

So, after all these years (25 to be precise), is the Prius’s time finally over? Or does this quaint hybrid hero still have more to offer? I took a top-spec I-Tech for a week to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Subaru Forester 2021 Toyota Prius

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