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Fiat 500 vs Subaru Forester comparison

Compare performance (118 HP vs 136 HP), boot space and price (17,100 £ vs 34,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Fiat 500 or Subaru Forester?

Fiat 500 vs Subaru Forester: Key differences

Fiat 500

3.7 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • significantly more efficient
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly lighter
details

Subaru Forester

3.8 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • a bit more power
  • substantially more trunk space
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

500

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Fiat 500 is substantially cheaper – starting at 17,100 £ , while the Subaru Forester costs 34,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 17,571 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Fiat 500 uses 5.2 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Subaru Forester with 8.1 L/100km. The difference is about 2.9 L/100km.

Forester

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Subaru Forester offers a bit more power – delivering 136 HP compared to 118 HP. That’s roughly 18 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Fiat 500 is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 9 s, while the Subaru Forester takes 12.2 s. That’s about 3.2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Fiat 500 delivers slightly more torque with 220 Nm compared to 182 Nm. That’s about 38 Nm more.

500

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: Subaru Forester offers more seats – 5 vs 4.

In terms of curb weight, Fiat 500 is clearly lighter – 1,130 kg compared to 1,693 kg. The difference is around 563 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Subaru Forester offers substantially more boot space – 508 L compared to 185 L. That’s a difference of about 323 L.

When it comes to payload, the Subaru Forester carries markedly more – 492 kg compared to 325 kg. That’s a difference of about 167 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Fiat 500 is clearly superior overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £17,100
500

Fiat 500

  • Engine Type : Electric, Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 65 - 118 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 5.2 - 5.3 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 13 - 14.7 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 190 - 331 km
details

Frequently compared as well

Fiat 500
Fiat Panda
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The Fiat 500 is a cheeky, retro-styled city charmer that wraps bright personality and nimble handling into a compact package ideal for urban life. By contrast, the Fiat Panda trades glamour for practicality — roomier, tougher on rough roads and far more usable for families or weekend escapes, so …
Fiat 500
Fiat 600
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Fiat 500
Subaru Forester

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 is a cheeky, retro‑styled city car that turns heads with its iconic looks and playful personality. Perfect for weaving through tight streets and easing into tiny parking spots, it’s aimed at buyers who want style and character more than grand touring prowess.

details
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Reviews Fiat 500

3.7 (1 Reviews)
rate
Reijo Muhonen
28 Feb 2026, 16:46:06

I've owned both cars, and I still end up with the Fiat 500 — it always puts me in a good mood. For longer trips I take the train.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): City / Short distance
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a practical all-rounder that quietly does everything right, with roomy comfort, excellent visibility and a real fondness for weekend adventures off the beaten path. It won't set your pulse racing like a sports car, but for buyers who prize reliability, safety and sensible charm, it's a brilliantly steady companion with a cheeky streak.

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Reviews Subaru Forester

3.8 (3 Reviews)
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Dirk
8 Dec 2025, 17:00:06

It's indeed much more expensive, but it drives brilliantly. I have the automatic — fantastic. It's a bit noisy for such an expensive car, and servicing at a Subaru dealer isn't cheap. It's certainly not economical.

On the other hand, very little breaks and it will never leave you stranded. And that space... 500 litres more is really about a 40% increase.

Frequently compared as well

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Fiat 500
Suzuki Swift
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Choosing between the Fiat 500 and the Suzuki Swift comes down to whether you prefer retro Italian charm and compact city style or a more practical, versatile hatchback with sharper handling. This comparison looks at space, fuel economy, driving feel, equipment and running costs to help you decide …
Fiat 500
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Fiat 500
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Fiat 500
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The Fiat 500 and Suzuki Jimny offer distinctly unique experiences for city dwellers and off-road adventurers, respectively. The Fiat 500 charms with its chic urban style, impressive fuel efficiency, and compact dimensions, making it an ideal companion for city driving and tight parking spaces. On …
Fiat 500
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When it comes to urban mobility, the Fiat 500 charms with its iconic retro design and compact agility, making it an ideal choice for city dwellers. In contrast, the Volkswagen Polo offers a more spacious interior and refined driving experience, boasting excellent build quality and advanced safety …
Fiat 500
Subaru Forester

Costs and Consumption
Price
17,100 - 27,400 £
Price
34,700 - 42,200 £
Consumption L/100km
5.2 - 5.3 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
8.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
13 - 14.7 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
190 - 331 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 121 g/km
co2
183 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
SUV
Seats
4
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,130 - 1,475 kg
Curb weight
1,693 - 1,739 kg
Trunk capacity
183 - 185 L
Trunk capacity
508 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,683 - 1,684 mm
Width
1,830 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
250 - 325 kg
Payload
446 - 492 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric, Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
CVT
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
65 - 118 HP
Power HP
136 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9 - 16.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
12.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
92 - 220 Nm
Torque
182 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
48 - 87 kW
Power kW
100 kW
Engine capacity
999 cm3
Engine capacity
1,995 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, D
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
Fiat
Brand
Subaru
Is the Fiat 500 offered with different drivetrains?

The Fiat 500 is available as Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.