Verdict
The RM36,199 dearer MINI Countryman makes the stronger technical case if home or workplace charging is part of the plan: its two motors produce 313 hp and 494 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, while the 66.5-kWh battery is rated for 432 km and accepts up to 130 kW DC charging. The Subaru Forester is the more practical petrol alternative, with a 63-litre tank, 496-litre boot and five-year warranty. It is also 222 mm longer, but the MINI has a 22 mm longer wheelbase and far more parking assistance hardware.
Pick the MINI Countryman if you can charge regularly and want 313 hp, a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time, head-up display and auto parking.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need petrol convenience, a 496-litre boot, 63-litre fuel tank and five-year manufacturer 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.
- Energy storage: MINI Countryman 66.5-kWh battery with 432 km EV range; Subaru Forester 63-litre petrol tank.
- Boot space: MINI Countryman 460 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: MINI Countryman two years; Subaru Forester five years.
Countryman
- 313 hp and 494 Nm from two electric motors
- 432 km stated EV range; 22 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging
- Head-up display, auto parking and 360-degree camera
- RM36,199 more expensive
- 460-litre boot is 36 litres smaller
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
Forester
- 496-litre boot and 63-litre petrol tank
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty
- Adds driver’s knee, front passenger seat-cushion and rear curtain airbags
- 182 hp and 247 Nm trail the MINI’s 313 hp and 494 Nm
- 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 4.1 seconds slower
- No front parking sensors, auto parking, head-up display or navigation
| 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 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 182 hp |
| Torque | — | 247 Nm |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 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 | 4 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.
Used Countryman & Forester for sale
Countryman vs Forester FAQ
Is the MINI Countryman or Subaru Forester better?
The MINI Countryman is better for performance, EV running and driver-assistance equipment, with 313 hp and a 5.6-second sprint. The Subaru Forester is better for petrol refuelling, luggage capacity and warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The MINI Countryman costs RM36,199 more than the Subaru Forester.
Which has the better warranty and boot?
The Subaru Forester does. Its manufacturer warranty lasts five years or 100,000 km, against the MINI’s two-year cover, and its 496-litre boot is 36 litres larger than the Countryman’s 460 litres.