Verdict
The Forester asks RM31,901 more, but brings a 2.5-litre boxer with 182 hp and 247 Nm against the Crosstrek’s 154 hp and 196 Nm, plus a far more useful 496-litre boot. That matters for a family carrying prams or luggage. The Crosstrek is 175 mm shorter, 30 mm narrower and costs RM400 less in annual road tax, while retaining AWD, 18-inch wheels and the same 63-litre tank. Choose it if a sunroof, front foglamps and rear USB ports matter more than outright space.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if you want the smaller 4,480-mm SUV, a front tilt-and-slide sunroof and lower RM438 annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need the 496-litre boot, 182 hp/247 Nm 2.5-litre engine, rear air-con vents and powered boot.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Engine output: Subaru Crosstrek 154 hp and 196 Nm; Subaru Forester 182 hp and 247 Nm.
- Boot space: Subaru Crosstrek 315 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres.
- Dimensions: Subaru Crosstrek 4,480 x 1,800 x 1,575 mm; Subaru Forester 4,655 x 1,830 x 1,730 mm.
- Road tax: Subaru Crosstrek RM438/year; Subaru Forester RM838/year.
- Rear comfort: Subaru Crosstrek has no rear air-con vents and two rear USB ports; Subaru Forester has rear air-con vents and no rear USB ports listed.
Crosstrek
- RM400 lower annual road tax
- Front tilt-and-slide sunroof and front foglamps
- Two rear USB ports
- 315-litre boot is 181 litres smaller
- 154 hp and 196 Nm trail the Forester by 28 hp and 51 Nm
- No rear air-con vents or powered boot
Forester
- 182 hp and 247 Nm from the 2.5-litre boxer engine
- 496-litre boot and powered boot operation
- Rear air-con vents and SI-Drive with X-Mode
- Costs RM31,901 more and road tax is RM400/year higher
- No sunroof or front foglamps
- 175 mm longer, 30 mm wider and 155 mm taller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM190,788✓ | RM222,689 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM438✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp at 6,000 rpm | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 196 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | Lineartronic |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 205 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,800 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,575 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion) | 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 rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | 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 with Driver's Side Memory | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger 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 with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 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 Crosstrek & Forester for sale
Crosstrek vs Forester FAQ
Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Subaru Forester better?
The Forester is the better family choice: it has 28 hp and 51 Nm more, a 496-litre boot versus 315 litres, rear air-con vents and a powered boot. The Crosstrek suits buyers prioritising smaller dimensions and its sunroof.
What is the price difference?
The Forester costs RM222,689, which is RM31,901 more than the RM190,788 Crosstrek. Its annual road tax is also RM838, versus RM438 for the Crosstrek.
Which has the bigger boot and better rear-passenger amenities?
The Forester has the bigger boot at 496 litres, 181 litres ahead of the Crosstrek’s 315 litres. It also gets rear air-con vents, while the Crosstrek counters with two rear USB ports.
