VS
At a Glance
Power
136 kW
150 kW
Torque
247 Nm
500 Nm
Fuel
7.9 l/100km
7.6 l/100km
Towing
1500 Kg
3300 Kg
Engine
2498 cc
2755 cc
Choosing between the Subaru Forester and the Toyota Fortuner is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Subaru Forester delivers 136 kW while the Toyota Fortuner produces 150 kW. On fuel, the Forester returns 7.9 l/100km while the Fortuner uses 7.6 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R790 000 for the Forester and R971 400 for the Fortuner. 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
136 kW
150 kW
Torque
247 Nm
500 Nm
Top Speed
—
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2498 cc
2755 cc
Engine Layout
boxer
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
diesel-electric hybrid
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
6
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Low Range
—
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.9 l/100km
7.6 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
63 l
80 l
CO2 Emissions
180 g/km
200 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4655 mm
4795 mm
Width
1830 mm
1855 mm
Height
1730 mm
1835 mm
Wheelbase
2670 mm
2745 mm
Ground Clearance
220 mm
279 mm
Kerb Weight
1636 Kg
2190 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
7
Load Volume
496-1174 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1500 Kg
3300 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
9
7
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
—
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
3
Warranty Distance
150000 Km
100000 Km
Service Plan
—
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
9 services
Service Plan Distance
—
90000
Service Intervals
15000
10000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Toyota Fortuner
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Fortuner
Fuel Economy
Fortuner
Value
Forester
Practicality
Fortuner
Pros & Cons
Subaru Forester
Lower starting price (R790 000)
Higher fuel consumption (7.9 l/100km)
Less power than rival (136 kW vs 150 kW)
No factory service plan
Toyota Fortuner
More powerful engine (150 kW)
Better fuel economy (7.6 l/100km)
Higher towing capacity (3300 Kg)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Forester or Fortuner?
The Forester uses 7.9 l/100km and the Fortuner uses 7.6 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Fortuner 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 Forester or Fortuner?
The Forester produces 136 kW and 247 Nm of torque while the Fortuner delivers 150 kW and 500 Nm of torque. The Fortuner is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Forester and Fortuner?
The Forester starts from R790 000 and the Fortuner from R971 400. The Forester is cheaper by R181 400 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Forester or Fortuner?
The Forester has a braked towing capacity of 1500 Kg and the Fortuner can tow 3300 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Forester or the Fortuner?
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.