VS
At a Glance
Power
280 kW
136 kW
Torque
610 Nm
247 Nm
Fuel
5.5 when hybrid battery discharged / 1.5
7.9 l/100km
Towing
1425 Kg
1500 Kg
Engine
1499 cc
2498 cc
Choosing between the Chery Tiggo 9 and the Subaru Forester is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Chery Tiggo 9 delivers 280 kW while the Subaru Forester produces 136 kW. On fuel, the Tiggo 9 returns 5.5 when hybrid battery discharged / 1.5 combined l/100km while the Forester uses 7.9 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R839 900 for the Tiggo 9 and R790 000 for the Forester. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
280 kW
136 kW
Torque
610 Nm
247 Nm
Top Speed
—
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1499 cc
2498 cc
Engine Layout
inline
boxer
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol-electric hybrid
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
—
Drive Wheels
front
all
Full Time 4x4
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.5 when hybrid battery discharged / 1.5
7.9 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
70 litre + 18.3 kWh l
63 l
CO2 Emissions
33 combined g/km
180 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4810 mm
4655 mm
Width
1925 mm
1830 mm
Height
1741 mm
1730 mm
Wheelbase
2800 mm
2670 mm
Ground Clearance
147-183 mm
220 mm
Kerb Weight
2308 Kg
1636 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
7
5
Load Volume
448-2065 l
496-1174 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1425 Kg
1500 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
10
9
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
7 vehicle / 10 engine for 1st owner / 10
5
Warranty Distance
150000 vehicle / 1000000 engine for 1st
150000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
—
Service Plan Years
7
—
Service Plan Distance
90000
—
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Chery Tiggo 9
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Tiggo 9
Fuel Economy
Tiggo 9
Value
Forester
Practicality
Tiggo 9
Pros & Cons
Chery Tiggo 9
More powerful engine (280 kW)
Better fuel economy (5.5 when hybrid battery discharged / 1.5 combined l/100km)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Subaru Forester
Lower starting price (R790 000)
Higher towing capacity (1500 Kg)
Higher fuel consumption (7.9 l/100km)
Less power than rival (136 kW vs 280 kW)
No factory service plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Tiggo 9 or Forester?
The Tiggo 9 uses 5.5 when hybrid battery discharged / 1.5 combined l/100km and the Forester uses 7.9 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Tiggo 9 is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Tiggo 9 or Forester?
The Tiggo 9 produces 280 kW and 610 Nm of torque while the Forester delivers 136 kW and 247 Nm of torque. The Tiggo 9 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Tiggo 9 and Forester?
The Tiggo 9 starts from R839 900 and the Forester from R790 000. The Forester is cheaper by R49 900 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Tiggo 9 or Forester?
The Tiggo 9 has a braked towing capacity of 1425 Kg and the Forester can tow 1500 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Tiggo 9 or the Forester?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.