Verdict
The Lotus Emeya is the far more expensive proposition at RM459,000, a RM172,755 jump over the RM286,245 Subaru WRX, but it brings two motors producing 603 hp and 710 Nm, a 102 kWh battery and a claimed 610 km range. Its 420 kW DC charging ceiling, 509-litre boot and 3,069 mm wheelbase suit long-distance EV use. The WRX counters with a 271 hp, 375 Nm 2.4-litre turbo petrol engine, six-speed manual and a much lower RM767 annual road tax versus RM1,440. For most budgets, the Subaru is the accessible driver's choice; the Lotus is for buyers committed to EV performance and space.
Pick the Lotus Emeya if you can absorb the RM459,000 price and RM1,440 annual road tax for 603 hp, 610 km claimed EV range and a 509-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru WRX if a RM286,245 entry price, six-speed manual gearbox and 271 hp turbo-petrol drivetrain matter more than EV range and outright power.
Key differences
- Price: Lotus Emeya RM459,000; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Power and torque: Lotus Emeya 603 hp and 710 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Energy source: Lotus Emeya 102 kWh battery with 610 km claimed range; Subaru WRX 63-litre petrol tank.
- DC charging/fuelling hardware: Lotus Emeya supports up to 420 kW DC charging; Subaru WRX uses a 2,387 cc turbo petrol engine.
- Boot space: Lotus Emeya 509 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres.
- Wheelbase: Lotus Emeya 3,069 mm; Subaru WRX 2,672 mm.
Emeya
- 603 hp and 710 Nm from two motors
- 102 kWh battery and 610 km claimed range
- 420 kW DC charging and 509-litre boot
- Costs RM172,755 more than the WRX
- Annual road tax is RM1,440 versus RM767
- Fixed rear seats, while the WRX has 60:40 split-folding rear seats
WRX
- RM286,245 price and RM767 annual road tax
- 271 hp, 375 Nm 2.4-litre turbo petrol engine
- Six-speed manual gearbox and 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Has 271 hp and 375 Nm against the Emeya's 603 hp and 710 Nm
- 411-litre boot is 98 litres smaller than the Emeya's
- No blind-spot information system, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM459,000 | RM286,245✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Grand Tourer | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,440 | RM767✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 271 hp |
| Torque | — | 375 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 603 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 710 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 102 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 610 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 420 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.15 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,139 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 2,241 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,459 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,069 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 509 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P-Zero | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Continuous Dampening Control with Air Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | Fixed | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | No | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Tyre puncture repair kit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 Emeya & WRX for sale
Emeya vs WRX FAQ
Is the Lotus Emeya or Subaru WRX better?
The Lotus Emeya is better for EV performance, claimed 610 km range, charging capability and luggage space. The Subaru WRX is better if you want the lower RM286,245 purchase price, lower RM767 road tax and a six-speed manual petrol sedan.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emeya costs RM459,000 and the Subaru WRX costs RM286,245, so the Emeya is RM172,755 more expensive.
Which has more practical rear-seat and boot space?
The Emeya has the larger 509-litre boot, compared with 411 litres in the WRX. However, the WRX has 60:40 split-folding rear seats, while the Emeya's rear seats are fixed.