Verdict
The Tank 300 brings 217 hp and 380 Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo, against the Forester’s 182 hp and 247 Nm from a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated boxer four; its torque also arrives from 1,800 rpm rather than 3,700 rpm. But the Subaru is 512 kg lighter, has a 496-litre boot versus 400 litres, and carries eight airbags to the Tank’s six. For Malaysian ownership, the Tank’s RM440 annual road tax is markedly lower than the Forester’s RM838, while its six-year unlimited-mileage warranty beats five years/100,000 km.
Pick the GWM Tank 300 if you want the stronger 217 hp/380 Nm powertrain, a larger 75-litre tank and richer cabin kit including ventilated massage seats.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you prioritise a 496-litre boot, eight airbags, a powered tailgate and 512 kg less kerb weight.
Key differences
- Power and torque: GWM Tank 300 217 hp/380 Nm; Subaru Forester 182 hp/247 Nm.
- Kerb weight: GWM Tank 300 2,155 kg; Subaru Forester 1,643 kg.
- Boot space: GWM Tank 300 400 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres.
- Annual road tax: GWM Tank 300 RM440; Subaru Forester RM838.
- Fuel tank: GWM Tank 300 75 litres; Subaru Forester 63 litres.
- Warranty: GWM Tank 300 six years/unlimited mileage; Subaru Forester five years/100,000 km.
Tank 300
- 217 hp and 380 Nm, with peak torque from 1,800 rpm.
- Ventilated front seats with massage function and a sunroof.
- 12.3-inch touchscreen, nine-speaker Infinity audio and four USB ports.
- 400-litre boot trails the Forester’s 496 litres.
- Six airbags versus the Forester’s eight.
- 2,155 kg kerb weight is 512 kg higher than the Forester’s.
Forester
- 496-litre boot and powered tailgate.
- Eight airbags, including driver’s knee and front passenger seat-cushion airbags.
- 1,643 kg kerb weight; 512 kg lighter than the Tank 300.
- 182 hp and 247 Nm are down on the Tank 300’s 217 hp and 380 Nm.
- RM838 annual road tax is RM398 higher than the Tank 300’s.
- No sunroof, front foglamps or front-seat ventilation/massage function.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM250,000 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 217 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 380 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 205 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,760 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,903 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 2,155 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 400 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Primacy HT | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED Headlights | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Massaging Function and Seat Ventilation | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Yes | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker Infinity Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Tank 300 & Forester for sale
Tank 300 vs Forester FAQ
Is the GWM Tank 300 or Subaru Forester better?
The Tank 300 is the better fit for stronger turbocharged output, lower road tax and more front-seat comfort kit. Choose the Forester for its larger boot, eight airbags, powered tailgate and much lower kerb weight.
What is the price difference?
The GWM Tank 300 costs RM250,000 and the Subaru Forester costs RM222,689, so the Tank is RM27,311 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot?
The Subaru Forester has the larger boot at 496 litres, 96 litres more than the GWM Tank 300’s 400 litres. The Forester also gets a powered boot, while the Tank uses a manual tailgate.
