BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe vs Subaru WRX
Verdict
These two C-segment sedans take very different routes. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is the easier, lower-cost daily on paper, with a 1.5 litre petrol engine, wet dual-clutch auto, front-wheel drive and a larger 430-litre boot. The Subaru WRX asks you to commit: 2.4 litres, 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. It is also the longer car, while the BMW is oddly much wider on paper. For a Malaysian buyer, this is sensible premium sedan versus proper driver’s sedan.
Pick the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe if you want the cheaper C-segment sedan with an automatic gearbox, lower RM90 road tax and the bigger 430-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, and can live with the higher running cost.
Key differences
- Engine: BMW 1,499 cc; Subaru 2,387 cc
- Output: BMW 156 hp and 230 Nm; Subaru 271 hp and 375 Nm
- Transmission/driven wheels: BMW wet dual-clutch automatic and front-wheel drive; Subaru manual and all-wheel drive
- Boot space: BMW 430 litres; Subaru 411 litres
- Size: BMW 4,546 mm long, 2,070 mm wide, 1,445 mm tall; Subaru 4,669 mm long, 1,826 mm wide, 1,468 mm tall
- Warranty and road tax: BMW 2 years and RM90 a year; Subaru 5 years and RM767 a year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 218,800✓ | RM 286,245 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,499 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Power | 156 hp | 271 hp✓ |
| Torque | 230 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.6 s | — |
| Top speed | 230 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,546 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 2,070 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Boot space | 430 L✓ | 411 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 63 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | — | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 767 |
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.
2 Series Gran Coupe
- Much lower annual road tax
- Automatic gearbox suits daily traffic
- Bigger 430-litre boot
- Far less power and torque than the Subaru
- Front-wheel drive only
- Shorter 2-year warranty
WRX
- Much stronger 271 hp and 375 Nm outputs
- All-wheel drive traction
- Manual gearbox for keen drivers
- Costs RM67,445 more to buy
- RM767 annual road tax is far higher
- Smaller 411-litre boot
2 Series Gran Coupe vs WRX FAQ
Is the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe or Subaru WRX better?
The Subaru WRX is better for performance, with 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is better for lower running cost, daily ease and boot space.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe costs RM218,800, while the Subaru WRX costs RM286,245. That makes the Subaru RM67,445 more expensive before you factor in its higher annual road tax.
Which has the bigger boot and better warranty?
The BMW has the bigger boot at 430 litres against the Subaru’s 411 litres. The Subaru counters with a longer 5-year warranty, compared with 2 years for the BMW.