VS
At a Glance
Power
136 kW
140 kW
Torque
247 Nm
350 Nm
Fuel
7.9 l/100km
8.3 l/100km
Towing
1500 Kg
1800 Kg
0-100 km/h
—
6.5 s
Engine
2498 cc
1968 cc
Choosing between the Subaru Forester and the Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Subaru Forester delivers 136 kW while the Volkswagen Tiguan produces 140 kW. On fuel, the Forester returns 7.9 l/100km while the Tiguan uses 8.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R699 000 for the Forester and R856 200 for the Tiguan. 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
140 kW
Torque
247 Nm
350 Nm
0-100 kph
—
6.5 s
Top Speed
—
225 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2498 cc
1968 cc
Engine Layout
boxer
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
petrol
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
7
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
7.9 l/100km
8.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
63 l
58 l
CO2 Emissions
180 g/km
189 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4655 mm
4539 mm
Width
1830 mm
1843 mm
Height
1730 mm
1635 mm
Wheelbase
2670 mm
2676 mm
Ground Clearance
220 mm
201 mm
Kerb Weight
1595 Kg
1599 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
496-1174 l
652 / 1650 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1500 Kg
1800 Kg
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
9
8
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
—
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
Optional
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
Optional
Park Distance Rear
—
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
—
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
Optional
Heated Seats
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
Optional
Tow Bar
—
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
3
Warranty Distance
150000 Km
120000 Km
Service Plan
—
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
—
5
Service Plan Distance
—
90000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Tiguan
Fuel Economy
Forester
Value
Forester
Practicality
Tiguan
Pros & Cons
Subaru Forester
Better fuel economy (7.9 l/100km)
Lower starting price (R699 000)
Less power than rival (136 kW vs 140 kW)
No factory service plan
Volkswagen Tiguan
More powerful engine (140 kW)
Higher towing capacity (1800 Kg)
Factory service plan included
Higher fuel consumption (8.3 l/100km)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Forester or Tiguan?
The Forester uses 7.9 l/100km and the Tiguan uses 8.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Forester 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 Tiguan?
The Forester produces 136 kW and 247 Nm of torque while the Tiguan delivers 140 kW and 350 Nm of torque. The Tiguan is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Forester and Tiguan?
The Forester starts from R699 000 and the Tiguan from R856 200. The Forester is cheaper by R157 200 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Forester or Tiguan?
The Forester has a braked towing capacity of 1500 Kg and the Tiguan can tow 1800 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Forester or the Tiguan?
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.