Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Subaru Forester SL's 182 hp and 247 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 9.7 seconds, versus 154 hp, 196 Nm and 10.3 seconds in the Subaru Forester SK Facelift. It also adds steering correction, an eighth airbag and a 360-degree camera. But annual road tax is RM838 against RM438, the 496-litre boot loses 24 litres and there is only a space-saver spare. The SK Facelift remains the rational used-car route if those extras are not essential.
Pick the Subaru Forester SK Facelift if you want the lower-cost Forester with a 520-litre boot, full-size spare wheel and RM438 annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru Forester SL if you want 182 hp, 247 Nm, steering correction and a 360-degree camera despite the higher purchase price and road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester SK Facelift RM163,500; Subaru Forester SL RM222,689.
- Output: Subaru Forester SK Facelift 154 hp and 196 Nm; Subaru Forester SL 182 hp and 247 Nm.
- Acceleration: Subaru Forester SK Facelift 0-100 km/h in 10.3 seconds; Subaru Forester SL in 9.7 seconds.
- Size and boot: Subaru Forester SK Facelift is 4,625 mm long with 520 litres; Subaru Forester SL is 4,655 mm long with 496 litres.
- Safety: Subaru Forester SK Facelift has seven airbags and no lane-keeping assist; Subaru Forester SL has eight airbags and steering correction.
- Parking and infotainment: Subaru Forester SK Facelift has an 8-inch display and rear camera; Subaru Forester SL has an 11.
SK Facelift
- RM438 annual road tax, versus RM838.
- 520-litre boot and full-size spare tyre.
- Built-in navigation and Lineartronic 7-speed manual mode.
- 154 hp and 196 Nm trail the SL's 182 hp and 247 Nm.
- Seven airbags and no lane-keeping assist, against eight airbags with steering correction.
- 8-inch display and rear camera are less comprehensive than the SL's 11.6-inch unit and 360-degree monitor.
SL
- 182 hp, 247 Nm and a 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Eight airbags, steering correction and seatbelt reminders for all seats.
- 11.6-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera and front wireless charger.
- Costs RM59,189 more than the SK Facelift.
- RM838 annual road tax is RM400 higher.
- 496-litre boot and space-saver spare lose out to the SK Facelift's 520 litres and full-size spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM163,500✓ | 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 | 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 |
| Bore × Stroke | 84 mm × 90 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12.5 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic with 7-speed manual mode | Lineartronic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.3 seconds | 9.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 176 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,625 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,815 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,544 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 496 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (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 Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | X-Mode | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 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 outer rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For Front Seats only | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Steering responsive headlamps | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | Manual Reclining, 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 | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, 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 and PIN Code Access | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| 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 cars for sale
SK Facelift vs SL FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester SK Facelift or Subaru Forester SL better?
The Subaru Forester SL is better equipped and quicker, with 182 hp, eight airbags, steering correction and a 360-degree camera. The Subaru Forester SK Facelift is the better-value choice if its 154 hp output and simpler driver assistance suit your needs.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester SL costs RM59,189 more: RM222,689 versus RM163,500 for the Subaru Forester SK Facelift.
Which Forester has the bigger boot and lower running tax?
The Subaru Forester SK Facelift has the larger 520-litre boot, compared with 496 litres in the Subaru Forester SL. Its annual road tax is also RM438, against RM838 for the SL.
