Verdict
The GAC M8 costs RM79,555 more, but it is a 5,212-mm seven-seat plug-in hybrid MPV; the Subaru BRZ is a 4,265-mm rear-drive manual coupe with four seats. For a Malaysian family, the M8’s 3,070-mm wheelbase, 280-litre boot and 106-km EV range suit daily duties far better. It also gets autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The BRZ reaches 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds against 8.8 seconds, costs less, and weighs 1,289 kg – 1,131 kg below the M8. These cars serve sharply different priorities.
Pick the GAC M8 if you need seven seats, plug-in hybrid running with 106 km of EV range and family-focused equipment such as power sliding doors.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want the cheaper, lighter rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- 0-100 km/h: GAC M8 8.8 seconds; Subaru BRZ 6.3 seconds.
- Length and wheelbase: GAC M8 5,212 mm and 3,070 mm; Subaru BRZ 4,265 mm and 2,575 mm.
- Seats, doors and boot: GAC M8 7 seats, 5 doors and 280 litres; Subaru BRZ 4 seats, 2 doors and 226 litres.
- Weight: GAC M8 2,420 kg; Subaru BRZ 1,289 kg.
- Powertrain figures: GAC M8 187-hp turbo engine plus 179-hp motor; Subaru BRZ 234-hp 2,387-cc naturally aspirated engine.
M8
- Seven seats, five doors and a 280-litre boot.
- 25.57-kWh battery, 106-km EV range, 6.6-kW AC and 40-kW DC charging.
- Autonomous braking, steering lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control.
- RM79,555 more expensive.
- 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.3 seconds.
- 2,420 kg weight, 1,131 kg more than the BRZ.
BRZ
- RM249,245 price undercuts the M8 by RM79,555.
- 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time and 1,289-kg weight.
- Rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual transmission.
- Only four seats and two doors, against the M8’s seven seats and five doors.
- 226-litre boot is 54 litres smaller than the M8’s.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist, and passive rather than adaptive cruise control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Coupe |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 179 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 25.57 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 106 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 2-DHT | — |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) | — |
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 M8 & BRZ for sale
M8 vs BRZ FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or Subaru BRZ better?
The GAC M8 is better for carrying a family, with seven seats, five doors and 106 km of EV range. The Subaru BRZ is better for a driver seeking lower cost, lower weight, rear-wheel drive and quicker acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The GAC M8 costs RM79,555 more than the Subaru BRZ.
Which has more safety and parking assistance?
The GAC M8 has the broader assistance package: autonomous braking, collision warning, steering lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and six front plus six rear parking sensors. The BRZ has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping, a reverse camera and four rear sensors.