Verdict
The GWM Tank 300 asks RM250,000 against the Subaru Forester’s RM222,689, and the extra money gets you a far stronger 217 hp/380 Nm 2.0 litre, a bigger body and a longer six-year warranty. The Subaru counters with the practical stuff: 496 litres of boot space versus 400 litres, eight airbags instead of six, and a lower entry price. Both are C-segment, five-seat, petrol, CBU SUVs with all-wheel drive and AEB, so this comes down to muscle and size against luggage room and safety count.
Pick the GWM Tank 300 if you want the stronger engine, larger dimensions, lower annual road tax and longer warranty.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want the cheaper car with the bigger boot, more airbags and a stated 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: GWM Tank 300 RM250,000; Subaru Forester RM222,689
- Engine output: GWM Tank 300 217 hp/380 Nm; Subaru Forester 182 hp/247 Nm
- Size: GWM Tank 300 4,760 mm long/1,930 mm wide/1,903 mm tall; Subaru Forester 4,655 mm/1,830 mm/1,730 mm
- Boot space: GWM Tank 300 400 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres
- Airbags: GWM Tank 300 6; Subaru Forester 8
- Road tax: GWM Tank 300 RM440 a year; Subaru Forester RM838 a year
Tank 300
- Stronger 217 hp and 380 Nm output
- Larger body and 2,750 mm wheelbase
- Six-year warranty and RM440 annual road tax
- RM27,311 dearer to buy
- Smaller 400-litre boot
- Two fewer airbags than the Forester
Forester
- Cheaper by RM27,311
- Larger 496-litre boot
- Eight airbags and standard AEB
- Less power and torque at 182 hp and 247 Nm
- Higher RM838 annual road tax
- Shorter five-year warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM250,000 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 217 hp✓ | 182 hp |
| Torque | 380 Nm✓ | 247 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 205 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,760 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,930 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,903 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 2,155 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 400 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Primacy HT | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 Two Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED Headlights | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Massaging Function and Seat Ventilation | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest | 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 |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Yes | — |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker Infinity Sound System | 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 | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 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 Tank 300 & Forester for sale
Tank 300 vs Forester FAQ
Is the GWM Tank 300 or Subaru Forester better?
The GWM Tank 300 is better for power, size, warranty and road tax. The Subaru Forester is better for price, boot space and airbag count. If family practicality and cost matter most, the Forester has the cleaner case.
What is the price difference?
The price gap is RM27,311, with the Subaru Forester being the cheaper SUV.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Subaru Forester has the bigger boot at 496 litres. The GWM Tank 300 has 400 litres, so the Subaru gives you 96 litres more luggage capacity.