Verdict
At RM222,689, the Subaru Forester costs just RM889 more than the RM221,800 Toyota Camry, yet they serve very different Malaysian buyers. The Forester’s all-wheel drive, 1,730 mm height and 60:40 folding rear seats suit those who need SUV access and flexible loading. But the Camry is 78 kg lighter, has 201 hp against 182 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and carries 524 litres in its boot. Its RM867 annual road tax is only RM29 above the Forester’s RM838, so the Toyota is the sharper road-car choice.
Pick the Subaru Forester if all-wheel drive, a taller 1,730 mm SUV body and folding rear seats matter more than outright pace.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you want the quicker 201 hp sedan, a larger 524-litre boot and unlimited-mileage warranty cover.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester RM222,689; Toyota Camry RM221,800.
- Power and acceleration: Subaru Forester 182 hp and 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds; Toyota Camry 201 hp and 8.9 seconds.
- Driveline: Subaru Forester all-wheel drive; Toyota Camry front-wheel drive.
- Size: Subaru Forester 4,655 mm long and 1,730 mm tall; Toyota Camry 4,920 mm long and 1,445 mm tall.
- Boot space: Subaru Forester 496 litres; Toyota Camry 524 litres.
- Warranty mileage: Subaru Forester 100,000 km; Toyota Camry unlimited kilometres.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- Eight airbags and a 360-degree view monitor.
- 60:40 split-folding rear seats and a powered boot.
- Slower to 100 km/h at 9.7 seconds versus 8.9 seconds.
- Smaller 496-litre boot versus 524 litres.
- Warranty is capped at 100,000 km, where the Camry has unlimited mileage.
Camry
- 201 hp and 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 524-litre boot and 2,825 mm wheelbase.
- Head-up display, front parking sensors and 9-speaker JBL audio.
- Front-wheel drive instead of the Forester’s all-wheel drive.
- Seven airbags versus the Forester’s eight.
- Fixed rear seats and a tyre repair kit, against the Forester’s split-folding seats and space-saver spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM222,689 | RM221,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM838✓ | RM867 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm | 201 hp at 6,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ | 246 Nm at 4,200 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds | 8.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 205 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,655 mm | 4,920 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,825 mm |
| Weight | 1,643 kg | 1,565 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 496 litres | 524 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | Space Saver |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | SI-Drive and X-Mode | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Ottoman Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Fixed Rear Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Sun Shades |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 9-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| 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 Forester & Camry for sale
Forester vs Camry FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester or Toyota Camry better?
The Toyota Camry is better for faster road performance, boot capacity and unlimited-mileage warranty cover. Choose the Subaru Forester if all-wheel drive, a higher SUV body and folding rear seats are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM889 more than the Toyota Camry.
Which is quicker, the Subaru Forester or Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds versus 9.7 seconds for the Subaru Forester. It also has 201 hp, compared with 182 hp.
