Verdict
The Renault Koleos costs RM191,888, undercutting the RM222,689 Subaru Forester by RM30,801. It is also 103 kg lighter, reaches 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds versus 9.7 seconds, and brings a larger 542-litre boot. The Forester answers with all-wheel drive, 182 hp and 247 Nm, plus autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with stop and go. For Malaysian buyers, the Koleos is the cheaper, roomier choice; the Forester’s extra outlay is chiefly for traction and driver assistance hardware.
Pick the Renault Koleos if a RM30,801 saving, a 542-litre boot and a slightly quicker 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than all-wheel drive and active safety aids.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want all-wheel drive, 182 hp and 247 Nm, plus autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.
Key differences
- Price: Renault Koleos RM191,888; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Driveline: Renault Koleos front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive.
- Output: Renault Koleos 171 hp and 226 Nm; Subaru Forester 182 hp and 247 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Renault Koleos 9.5 seconds; Subaru Forester 9.7 seconds.
- Boot space: Renault Koleos 542 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres.
- Driver assistance: Renault Koleos has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist; Subaru Forester has autonomous braking and steering correction lane-keeping…
Koleos
- RM30,801 lower purchase price
- 542-litre boot, 46 litres larger
- 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time and 8.1 L/100 km rated economy
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive
- No autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist
- No adaptive cruise control or 360-degree camera
Forester
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode
- 182 hp and 247 Nm, against 171 hp and 226 Nm
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- RM30,801 more expensive
- 496-litre boot is 46 litres smaller
- 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.2 seconds slower
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM191,888✓ | RM222,689 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 171 hp | 182 hp✓ |
| Torque | 226 Nm | 247 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 89 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | X-Tronic CVT | Lineartronic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 8.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,672 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,678 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,705 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 542 litres✓ | 496 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Nexen N Priz RH7 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with one-touch operation | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (5 colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.7" R-LINK 2 Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 3D sound by Arkamys, 8 speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down | 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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 Koleos & Forester for sale
Koleos vs Forester FAQ
Is the Renault Koleos or Subaru Forester better?
The Forester is better for all-wheel-drive traction and active safety equipment, including autonomous braking and blind-spot monitoring. The Koleos is the better value and luggage-hauling choice, costing RM30,801 less with a 542-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM30,801 more than the Renault Koleos: RM222,689 versus RM191,888.
Which has more practical luggage space?
The Renault Koleos has the larger boot at 542 litres, compared with 496 litres in the Subaru Forester. Both are five-seat SUVs with 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
