Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan costs RM238,888 to the Subaru Forester’s RM222,689, a RM16,199 gap. Its 161 hp, 270 Nm 1.33-litre turbo gets from 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds, 1.4 seconds ahead of the 182 hp Forester, and annual road tax is just RM70 versus RM838. The Subaru answers with all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot and five-year/100,000-km warranty. Choose the Mercedes for lower running tax and quicker sedan responses; take the Forester if cargo room, rear AC vents and adaptive cruise control matter more.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan if you want the quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time, RM70 annual road tax and a 2,729-mm wheelbase sedan.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot, rear AC vents and a five-year/100,000-km warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM238,888; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Performance: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds; Subaru Forester in 9.7 seconds.
- Road tax: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM70 per year; Subaru Forester RM838 per year.
- Driveline: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 420 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres.
- Warranty: Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan two years with unlimited mileage; Subaru Forester five years/100,000 km.
A-Class Sedan
- 1.4 seconds quicker to 100 km/h.
- RM768 lower annual road tax.
- Front parking sensors and Active Parking Assist.
- Costs RM16,199 more.
- 420-litre boot is 76 litres smaller.
- Two-year warranty trails the Forester’s five-year/100,000-km cover.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode.
- 496-litre boot and powered boot.
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go.
- 0-100 km/h is 1.4 seconds slower.
- RM838 annual road tax is RM768 higher.
- Lacks the Mercedes-Benz’s front parking sensors and Active Parking Assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM70✓ | 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 | 1,332 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | 182 hp✓ |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 247 Nm |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 | — |
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, lower RM70 annual road tax and parking assistance. The Subaru Forester is better for all-wheel drive, its 496-litre boot, rear AC vents, adaptive cruise control and longer five-year/100,000-km warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan costs RM16,199 more than the Subaru Forester.
Which one has more luggage space?
The Subaru Forester has the larger boot at 496 litres, 76 litres more than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan’s 420 litres. Both have 60:40 split-folding rear seats.