Verdict
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is RM3,889 cheaper at RM218,800 and is the quicker road car, reaching 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds against the Subaru Forester’s 9.7 seconds, while its RM90 annual road tax is far easier on the wallet than RM838. The Forester answers with all-wheel drive, a larger 496-litre boot and substantially fuller active safety equipment, including autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. For Malaysian family use and wet-road reassurance, the Subaru’s extra spend is easier to justify; choose the BMW for sedan pace and lower running tax.
Pick the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe if you want the lower RM218,800 entry price, 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time and RM90 annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot and autonomous braking with adaptive cruise control.
Key differences
- Price: BMW RM218,800; Subaru RM222,689.
- Performance: BMW 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and 230 km/h; Subaru 9.7 seconds and 205 km/h.
- Driveline: BMW front-wheel drive; Subaru all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 430 litres; Subaru 496 litres.
- Road tax: BMW RM90 per year; Subaru RM838 per year.
- Warranty: BMW 2 years manufacturer warranty, extendable to 5 years; Subaru 5 years and 100,000 km.
2 Series Gran Coupe
- Quicker 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM3,889 lower purchase price
- RM90 annual road tax
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot information system
- 430-litre boot is 66 litres smaller
- Only warning-only lane keeping versus steering correction
Forester
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode
- Autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
- 496-litre boot and 360-degree camera
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM90
- Costs RM3,889 more
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 218,800✓ | RM 222,689 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 156 hp | 182 hp✓ |
| Torque | 230 Nm | 247 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 205 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,546 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 2,070 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 430 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Y-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Y-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain 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 | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver-side Memory Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 9 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | 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 Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 838 |
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 2 Series Gran Coupe & Forester for sale
2 Series Gran Coupe vs Forester FAQ
Is the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe or Subaru Forester better?
The Forester is better for family practicality and driver assistance, with all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The BMW suits buyers prioritising sedan performance, costing less and reaching 100 km/h 1.1 seconds sooner.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM222,689, which is RM3,889 more than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe at RM218,800.
Which has the lower running tax?
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has the lower annual road tax at RM90. The Subaru Forester is RM838 per year, a difference of RM748 annually.