Kuga I vs Forester III (SH): which is better?
Ford Kuga I (2008–2012) vs Subaru Forester III (SH) (2008–2013): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Subaru Forester III (SH)Specifications
| Ford Kuga I | Subaru Forester III (SH) | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2008–2012 | 2008–2013 |
| Body | crossover SUV | crossover SUV |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 2.5 Turbo | 2.5 |
| Power, up to | 200 hp | 172 hp |
| Torque, up to | 320 Nm | 226 Nm |
| Gearbox | automatic | automatic |
| Drive | all-wheel drive | all-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 443 mm | 4 560 mm |
| Width | 1 842 mm | 1 780 mm |
| Height | 1 677 mm | 1 700 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 690 mm | 2 615 mm |
| Ground clearance | — | 215 mm |
| Fuel tank | 66 L | 64 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 29 450 ₸ | ≈ 29 450 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Ford Kuga I
Pros
- Gearbox Aisin automatic: generally reliable
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Ford Duratec/Zetec/EcoBoost engine: Duratec suffers timing belt and ignition coil wear
- Gearbox Aisin automatic: valve body wear at high mileage
Engine (Ford Duratec/Zetec/EcoBoost): on Duratec — timing belt and ignition coil wear; on EcoBoost — overheating and coolant leaks on the 1.6.
Gearbox (Aisin automatic): generally reliable; at high mileage — valve body wear.
Subaru Forester III (SH)
Pros
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Conventional automatic, no robotized gearbox or CVT
- High ground clearance: 215 mm
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Subaru EJ (2.0–2.5) engine: head gasket leaks
Engine (Subaru EJ (2.0–2.5)): head gasket leaks; oil consumption; head gasket on the EJ253.
Which one to choose
- Kuga I — if you care more about: power, torque, wheelbase, fuel tank.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: Kuga I or Forester III (SH)?
Kuga I: up to 200 hp, Forester III (SH): up to 172 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Kuga I — about 29 450 ₸, Forester III (SH) — about 29 450 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.