Verdict
The Subaru Forester SL is the quicker, roomier newer-generation car on the numbers: 182 hp, 247 Nm, 9.7 seconds to 100 km/h and 496 litres of boot space beat the SJ’s 148 hp, 198 Nm, 11.8 seconds and 422 litres. It also adds auto emergency braking and an eighth airbag. But the SJ is not outclassed everywhere; it still has AWD, five seats, a CVT and a lower 2.0-litre road tax bill, with listed fuel use of 7.9 L/100 km.
Pick the Subaru Forester SJ if you want the lower-cost Forester formula with AWD, seven airbags and a cheaper RM438 annual road tax bill.
Pick the Subaru Forester SL if you want the stronger 2.5-litre engine, quicker 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time, bigger boot and auto emergency braking.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester SJ RM170,988; Subaru Forester SL RM222,689
- Engine output: Subaru Forester SJ 148 hp and 198 Nm; Subaru Forester SL 182 hp and 247 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Subaru Forester SJ 11.8 s; Subaru Forester SL 9.7 s
- Boot space: Subaru Forester SJ 422 L; Subaru Forester SL 496 L
- Safety kit: Subaru Forester SJ 7 airbags and no AEB listed; Subaru Forester SL 8 airbags and AEB
- Road tax: Subaru Forester SJ RM438 a year; Subaru Forester SL RM838 a year
SJ
- Lower RM170,988 price
- Lower RM438 annual road tax
- Listed 7.9 L/100 km fuel economy
- Slower 11.8-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 422-litre boot
- No auto emergency braking listed
SL
- Stronger 182 hp and 247 Nm output
- Quicker 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 496-litre boot
- Higher RM222,689 price
- Higher RM838 annual road tax
- No fuel economy figure listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM170,988✓ | 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 variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 148 hp | 182 hp✓ |
| Torque | 198 Nm | 247 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | Lineartronic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 11.8 seconds | 9.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 192 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 182 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,595 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,735 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,640 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,495 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 422 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags | 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 | Both 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Xenon reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way power adjustable driver and passenger seat | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 one-touch 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 | Power sliding, tilt-adjustable | — |
| Power Sockets | Centre tray, centre console box, boot | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map, room | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | Two front, two in rear armrest | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 2-DIN audio, CD, AUX with 6 speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All four windows, driver auto up and down with anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless push start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | 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 cars for sale
SJ vs SL FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester SJ or Subaru Forester SL better?
The Subaru Forester SL is better on performance, boot space and listed safety kit. The Subaru Forester SJ makes more sense if lower purchase price, lower road tax and a published 7.9 L/100 km fuel figure matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester SL costs RM51,701 more than the Subaru Forester SJ, at RM222,689 versus RM170,988.
Which Subaru Forester is quicker?
The Subaru Forester SL is quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds against the Subaru Forester SJ’s 11.8 seconds. It also has more power and torque: 182 hp and 247 Nm versus 148 hp and 198 Nm.
