Verdict
The MINI Countryman costs RM36,199 more at RM258,888, but its dual-motor electric drivetrain brings 313 hp, 494 Nm and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time against the Forester’s 182 hp, 247 Nm and 9.7 seconds. It also has a 432 km EV range, 22 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging. The Subaru Forester counters with a larger 496-litre boot, eight airbags and a five-year/100,000 km warranty, while its RM838 annual road tax is RM503 higher than the MINI’s RM335. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge, the MINI is the more richly equipped and far quicker choice; the Forester is the cheaper, roomier petrol alternative.
The Countryman JCW (RM389,888) sits above every Forester variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the MINI Countryman if you can charge an EV and want 313 hp, 494 Nm, 432 km of range plus equipment such as a head-up display and auto parking.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want to spend RM36,199 less, carry more in its 496-litre boot and have eight airbags with a five-year/100,000 km warranty.
Key differences
- Price: MINI Countryman RM258,888; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Power and torque: MINI Countryman 313 hp and 494 Nm; Subaru Forester 182 hp and 247 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: MINI Countryman 5.6 seconds; Subaru Forester 9.7 seconds.
- EV range/fuel: MINI Countryman electric with 432 km range; Subaru Forester petrol with a 63-litre tank.
- Boot space: MINI Countryman 460 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres.
- Annual road tax: MINI Countryman RM335; Subaru Forester RM838.
Countryman
- 313 hp, 494 Nm and 5.6-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- 432 km range with 22 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging.
- Head-up display, navigation, auto parking and 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM36,199 more.
- 460-litre boot is 36 litres smaller.
- Six airbags versus the Forester’s eight.
Forester
- RM36,199 lower purchase price and 496-litre boot.
- Eight airbags and a five-year/100,000 km warranty.
- 205 km/h top speed, versus 180 km/h for the MINI.
- 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the MINI by 4.1 seconds.
- Annual road tax is RM503 higher.
- No navigation, head-up display or auto parking.
What the Countryman has over the Forester
What the Forester has over the Countryman
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Boot space favours the Forester: 496 litres against 460.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM258,888 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM838 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,645/mo | RM2,275/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM6,979 | RM6,137✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,368 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.84 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM43,409 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 3.0 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 35 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 313 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 494 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 432 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,433 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,656 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R20 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 8 (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 belts | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat | 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 | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB C Rear | 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 |
| Audio | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon 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 Flip Switch | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Tailgate, with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | 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 | — |
| Warranty Notes | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years, 8-year/160,000 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used Countryman & Forester for sale
Our reviews & guides
MINI Countryman
Subaru Forester
Countryman vs Forester FAQ
Is the MINI Countryman or Subaru Forester better?
The MINI Countryman is the better choice if home or workplace charging is practical: it is far quicker, has 432 km of EV range and more driver-convenience equipment. Choose the Subaru Forester for its lower price, bigger boot and eight airbags.
What is the price difference?
The MINI Countryman costs RM258,888 and the Subaru Forester costs RM222,689, so the MINI is RM36,199 more expensive.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The MINI Countryman has lower annual road tax at RM335. The Subaru Forester is RM838 per year, a RM503 difference.
How long does charging take?
The Countryman's 66.5 kWh battery takes about 3.0 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 35 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 130 kW peak.
Which has the better warranty?
The Forester carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 2 years for the Countryman. Countryman: Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty.