Verdict
At RM222,689, the five-seat Forester is RM58,384 cheaper than the RM281,073 X9, and its 2.5-litre 182 hp boxer engine sends 247 Nm through all-wheel drive. It is the more manageable 4,655-mm SUV, but the X9 answers with seven seats, a 721-litre boot and a 535-km EV range. Its 315 hp/450 Nm motor cuts 0-100 km/h to 8.2 seconds, against 9.7. The X9’s 5,316-mm body is a serious commitment in Malaysian car parks, while its RM365 annual road tax undercuts RM838.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want a smaller five-seat SUV with all-wheel drive, a 63-litre petrol tank and a lower upfront cost.
Pick the Xpeng X9 if you need seven seats, a 721-litre boot and EV performance with 535 km of range.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester RM222,689; Xpeng X9 RM281,073.
- Powertrain: Forester 182 hp and 247 Nm; X9 315 hp and 450 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Forester 9.7 seconds; X9 8.2 seconds.
- Seating and boot: Forester five seats and 496 litres; X9 seven seats and 721 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: Forester 4,655 mm and 2,670 mm; X9 5,316 mm and 3,160 mm.
- Annual road tax: Forester RM838; X9 RM365.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode
- Smaller 4,655-mm footprint
- 205 km/h top speed
- Only five seats versus seven
- 496-litre boot trails the X9’s 721 litres
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
X9
- 315 hp and 450 Nm electric motor
- Seven seats with second-row captain seats
- Air suspension and rear-axle steering
- RM58,384 higher purchase price
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- 5,316-mm length demands more parking space
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM222,689✓ | RM281,073 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM838 | RM365✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm | — |
| Torque | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 315 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 94.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 535 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 537 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds | 8.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 205 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,655 mm | 5,316 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,988 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 3,160 mm |
| Weight | 1,643 kg | 2,750 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 496 litres | 721 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | SI-Drive and X-Mode | Air Suspension, Rear-axle Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags, Integrated Second Row Seat Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Second & Third Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger | Driver and Front Passenger Powered Seats, Front Seat Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 14-way Second Row Individual Captain Seats with Ventilation, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row with One-touch Electric Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Triple-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Double Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 17.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 27-speaker XOpera 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Front Doors & Rear Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 120,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & X9 for sale
Forester vs X9 FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester or Xpeng X9 better?
The Xpeng X9 is better for larger families, quicker acceleration and EV driving, with seven seats and 535 km of range. The Subaru Forester is the better fit if all-wheel drive, a smaller body and lower entry cost matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Xpeng X9 costs RM58,384 more than the Subaru Forester.
Which is better for carrying passengers and luggage?
The Xpeng X9. It has seven seats and a 721-litre boot, compared with the Forester’s five seats and 496-litre boot. Its second row also uses individual captain seats, while the third row is 60:40 split-folding.
