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Subaru Forester vs Dacia Bigster comparison

Compare performance (136 HP vs 158 HP), boot space and price (35,100 £ vs 20,600 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Subaru Forester or Dacia Bigster?

Subaru Forester vs Dacia Bigster: Key differences

Subaru Forester

3.8 (3 Reviews)
rate
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Dacia Bigster

4.6 (10 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • moderately more power
  • considerably more efficient
  • noticeably quicker 0–100 km/h
  • a bit lighter
  • visibly 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

Forester

Subaru Forester VS Dacia Bigster — which suits your everyday life?

Subaru Forester VS Dacia Bigster sets up a classic choice: a weatherproof, go-anywhere family SUV against a room-first, value-oriented contender. The Subaru Forester presents itself as a rugged, trust‑inspiring tool for bad roads and changeable weather, while the Dacia Bigster trades trim flourishes for acres of usable space and low running costs. Buyers quickly feel the philosophical split — Forester prioritises capability and straightforward robustness, Bigster prioritises cargo, economy and price. Read on to see how those different priorities translate into everyday usability and long-distance behavior.

Bigster

Character and driving feel — outdoor confidence versus pragmatic cruising

The Subaru Forester drives like something built to be relied on in mud, snow and gravel: permanent all‑wheel drive, extra ground clearance and a calm, steady chassis instill confidence off the beaten track. The Dacia Bigster behaves more like an efficient long‑legged commuter with a relaxed steering feel and a hybrid option that rewards sensible inputs with low consumption. In traffic the Forester feels composed and planted, the Bigster feels spacious and economical but a touch more floaty in corners. If you value surefooted traction and the security of AWD, the Forester leans into that; if you value long runs with fewer fuel stops and obvious space, the Bigster is the more straightforward companion.

Forester

Comfort and long‑distance behavior — composed over rough roads versus efficient miles

On broken surfaces and country lanes the Subaru Forester’s soft suspension and supportive seating pay dividends, making long rural runs less tiring and masking roadside imperfections better than the Bigster. The Dacia Bigster rewards motorway miles with its efficient hybrid setup and huge range between fill‑ups, but at higher speeds its wind and engine noise are more noticeable and some seat formats can feel soft for very long tours. For long cross‑country trips where comfort over rough tarmac matters, the Forester’s ride quality and visibility feel reassuring; for economical mileage and fewer fuel stops on mostly smooth roads, the Bigster wins on efficiency and range. Each car’s long‑distance character maps directly to where you spend most miles: rough lanes and winter routes point to the Forester, steady highway passages point to the Bigster.

Bigster

Practicality and family usability — clever space versus outright cargo capacity

The Dacia Bigster is the obvious choice if you need maximum luggage space and flexible seating layouts: its clever rear seats and double‑floor options make loading awkward kit or holiday bags easier than almost any rival. The Subaru Forester, however, uses its cabin layout and low sill to make day‑to‑day life simpler — wide doors, an almost flat rear floor and practical storage give it the edge for family ingress/egress and messy gear. Where the Bigster leads is sheer volume and adaptability; where the Forester wins is pragmatic access, user‑friendly fittings and features tuned to real‑world family use. Buyers who lug sports equipment, bikes or bulky loads will feel the Bigster’s advantage; those who prioritize easy, everyday handling of children and items will appreciate the Forester’s attention to usability.

Forester

Cabin feel, controls and perceived quality — rustic durability against economical cleverness

The Subaru Forester’s interior reads as deliberately rugged: hard‑wearing surfaces, clear physical controls and a layout built for quick, unglamorous use — it feels like a tool designed to endure. The Dacia Bigster makes the opposite promise: more space and features for the money, with simpler plastics and a big, easy infotainment screen rather than soft‑touch luxury. In daily life the Forester’s tactile switches and stable ergonomics give a more reassuring sense of solidity, while the Bigster’s value presentation constantly reminds you where savings were made. If perceived heft and robust finishes are important, the Forester nudges ahead; if practicality and a low purchase price matter more than plush materials, the Bigster’s honesty will appeal.

Bigster

Buyer fit — match your priorities before you choose

Choose the Subaru Forester if your life includes gravel tracks, snowy seasons or you prize the confidence of permanent AWD and superb all‑round visibility — it’s the better pick for rural families and anyone who values rugged reliability over low headline costs. Opt for the Dacia Bigster if your priority is maximum interior space, low running costs and a sharply affordable purchase price — it suits large‑cargo users, budget‑conscious families and long‑distance commuters who want efficiency. Both cars make sensible compromises: Forester gives you capability and practical refinement, Bigster gives you scale and economy. The technical comparison that follows will break down drivetrains, consumption, cargo volumes and equipment so you can align those measurable differences with the everyday trade‑offs outlined here.

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

Forester

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Dacia Bigster is clearly cheaper – starting at 20,600 £ , while the Subaru Forester costs 35,100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 14,572 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Dacia Bigster uses 4.7 L/100km and is considerably more efficient than the Subaru Forester with 8.1 L/100km. The difference is about 3.4 L/100km.

Bigster

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Dacia Bigster offers moderately more power – delivering 158 HP compared to 136 HP. That’s roughly 22 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Dacia Bigster is noticeably quicker – completing the sprint in 9.7 s, while the Subaru Forester takes 12.2 s. That’s about 2.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Dacia Bigster delivers noticeably more torque with 230 Nm compared to 182 Nm. That’s about 48 Nm more.

Forester

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.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Dacia Bigster is a bit lighter – 1,425 kg compared to 1,693 kg. The difference is around 268 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Dacia Bigster offers visibly more boot space – 667 L compared to 508 L. That’s a difference of about 159 L.

When it comes to payload, the Subaru Forester carries only slightly more – 492 kg compared to 465 kg. That’s a difference of about 27 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Dacia Bigster holds a decisive overall lead 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 £20,600
Bigster

Dacia Bigster

  • Engine Type Petrol MHEV, Full Hybrid, LPG
  • Transmission Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 140 - 158 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 4.7 - 7.2 L/100km
Subaru Forester
Dacia Bigster

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

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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Dacia Bigster

The Dacia Bigster is a straightforward, value-driven SUV that emphasizes space, practicality and low running costs rather than flashy tech. It’s a sensible choice for buyers who want a roomy, well-built family car with rugged styling and easy-to-use features at an affordable price.

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Subaru Forester
Dacia Bigster

Costs and Consumption

Price
35,100 - 42,800 £
Price
20,600 - 28,100 £
Consumption L/100km
8.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.7 - 7.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
183 g/km
co2
106 - 134 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,693 - 1,739 kg
Curb weight
1,425 - 1,611 kg
Trunk capacity
508 L
Trunk capacity
444 - 667 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,830 mm
Width
1,813 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
446 - 492 kg
Payload
434 - 465 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Full Hybrid, LPG
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automated Manual, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
136 HP
Power HP
140 - 158 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
12.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.7 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
182 Nm
Torque
230 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
100 kW
Power kW
103 - 116 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 cm3
Engine capacity
1,199 - 1,789 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C
Brand
Subaru
Brand
Dacia
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.