Subaru Forester vs Volkswagen Passat

The Forester costs less to run, by the official figures: about $290 a year less in the US.

Subaru ForesterVolkswagen Passat

Side by side

Specs are for each car's newest version. The better figure is in green.

Subaru ForesterVolkswagen Passat

A typical year's fuel

United States
$1,549 (better)
$1,844
New Zealand
$2,005 (better)
$2,387
Australia
$1,661 (better)
$1,978
United Kingdom
£1,218 (better)
£1,450

Official figures

Uses
38 mpg (better)
32 mpg
Also
6.2 L/100km (better)
7.4 L/100km
On a full tank
631 miles (better)
589 miles

Space

Seats
5
5
Boot
2,155 L (better)
650 L
Towing, braked
1,800 kg
2,000 kg (better)
Length
4,625 mm
4,773 mm
Weight
1,544 kg
1,549 kg

Engine

Engine
2.5 L flat-4 petrol
2.0 L 4-cylinder turbo petrol
Power
134 kW
162 kW (better)
Torque
239 Nm
350 Nm (better)
Gearbox
CVT
6-speed dual-clutch automatic
Drive
AWD
FWD

Safety

ANCAP
★★★★★
★★★★★
Euro NCAP
★★★★★
★★★★★
Airbags
7 (better)
6

A typical year: New Zealand 11,000 km (Ministry of Transport's average for a light vehicle); Australia 11,100 km (ABS Survey of Motor Vehicle Use average); United Kingdom 11,265 km (DfT National Travel Survey average of about 7,000 miles); United States 21,726 km (FHWA average of about 13,500 miles). Real costs depend on how and where you drive. Work out a particular trip.

Forester or Passat?

Which is cheaper to run, the Subaru Forester or the Volkswagen Passat?

The Subaru Forester: about $290 a year less in the US than the Volkswagen Passat at today's average prices and a typical year's driving.

Which uses less fuel, the Subaru Forester or the Volkswagen Passat?

The Subaru Forester, at 6.2 L/100km (46 mpg UK, 38 mpg US) to the Volkswagen Passat's 7.4 L/100km (38 mpg UK, 32 mpg US), by their latest official figures.

Which has the bigger boot, the Subaru Forester or the Volkswagen Passat?

The Subaru Forester, at 2155 L to the Volkswagen Passat's 650 L, for their newest versions.

Each on its own

Other comparisons

What will the drive cost?

Roadtrip works out the fuel or charging cost of any drive for your exact car, finds the cheapest stations on the way, and splits it between everyone in the car.

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The Roadtrip app showing a drive into London that costs £4.81 each, with fuel prices along the way