Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan costs RM16,199 more, yet its 161 hp turbo produces 270 Nm from 2,000 rpm and reaches 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds, 1.4 seconds ahead of the Forester. It also carries a far lower RM70 annual road tax against RM838. The Subaru Forester answers with all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot versus 420 litres and five doors, making it the more useful family-load carrier. For Malaysian buyers, choose the Mercedes for pace and running-cost relief; take the Subaru for space, traction and its five-year warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan if you want the quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time, 270 Nm from 2,000 rpm and RM70 annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot, five doors and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM238,888; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 8.3 seconds; Subaru Forester 9.7 seconds.
- Driveline: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 420 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres.
- Annual road tax: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM70; Subaru Forester RM838.
- Manufacturer warranty: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan two years; Subaru Forester five years/100,000 km.
A-Class Sedan
- Quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 270 Nm turbo torque arrives at 2,000 rpm.
- Active Parking Assist and four front parking sensors.
- 420-litre boot is 76 litres smaller than the Forester's.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the Forester's all-wheel drive.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Forester's five years.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- 496-litre boot and five-door body.
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the A-Class Sedan by 1.4 seconds.
- RM838 annual road tax is RM768 higher than the A-Class Sedan's.
- 247 Nm arrives at 3,700 rpm, versus 270 Nm at 2,000 rpm in the Mercedes.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | 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 | 1,332 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp at 5,500 rpm | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 72.2 mm × 81.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 205 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,549 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,796 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,446 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,385 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Lowered Suspension | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Pelvis, 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 for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front USB-C, 1 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 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 Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Active Parking Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | No | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 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 A-Class Sedan & Forester for sale
A-Class Sedan vs Forester FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan or Subaru Forester better?
The A-Class Sedan is better for quicker acceleration, lower annual road tax and parking assistance. The Forester is better for all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot, rear air-con vents and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan costs RM238,888 and the Subaru Forester costs RM222,689, so the Mercedes is RM16,199 more expensive.
Which has more practical space?
The Subaru Forester is more practical for luggage and access: it has five doors and a 496-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan has four doors and a 420-litre boot, although both seat five and have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
