Verdict
The RM238,888 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan costs RM16,199 more than the RM222,689 Subaru Forester, yet its 1.33-litre turbo delivers 270 Nm and an 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time against 247 Nm and 9.7 seconds. It also cuts annual road tax from RM838 to RM70. The Forester answers with all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot, 63-litre tank and five-year/100,000-km warranty, while adding adaptive cruise control with stop and go, steering correction and rear air-con vents. Choose by use: the Mercedes is the quicker low-tax sedan; the Subaru is the roomier SUV.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan if quicker 8.3-second acceleration, a 2,729-mm wheelbase and RM70 annual road tax matter more than SUV cargo space.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot, rear air-con vents and a five-year/100,000-km warranty.
Key differences
- Performance: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan makes 161 hp, 270 Nm and reaches 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds; Subaru Forester makes 182 hp, 247 Nm and takes 9.7 seconds.
- Driveline: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester is all-wheel drive.
- Cargo space: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan has a 420-litre boot; Subaru Forester has 496 litres.
- Dimensions: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is 4,549 mm long and 1,446 mm tall; Subaru Forester is 4,655 mm long and 1,730 mm tall.
- Running costs: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan road tax is RM70 per year; Subaru Forester road tax is RM838 per year.
- Warranty: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan has a two-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty; Subaru Forester has five years/100,000 km.
A-Class Sedan
- Quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM70 annual road tax
- Active Parking Assist and front parking sensors
- Smaller 420-litre boot than the Forester's 496 litres
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- No lane-keeping assist or rear air-con vents
Forester
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode
- 496-litre boot and powered tailgate
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go plus steering correction
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM838 annual road tax
- No front parking sensors or auto parking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 238,888 | RM 222,689✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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 | 1,332 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | 182 hp✓ |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 247 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.3 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 205 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,549 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,796 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,446 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,385 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy | 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 | Comfort Lowered Suspension | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Pelvis, 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 for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front USB-C, 1 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 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 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 Activated | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Active Parking Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | No | — |
| 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 | 2 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 70✓ | 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 A-Class Sedan & Forester for sale
A-Class Sedan vs Forester FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan or Subaru Forester better?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is better for quicker acceleration and far lower annual road tax. The Subaru Forester is better for all-wheel drive, cargo capacity, rear-passenger ventilation and a longer manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan costs RM16,199 more than the Subaru Forester.
Which car is more practical for family use?
The Subaru Forester is more practical for carrying luggage, with a 496-litre boot versus 420 litres, five doors, rear air-con vents, a powered boot and a 63-litre fuel tank.