Verdict
At RM191,888, the Renault Koleos undercuts the RM222,689 Subaru Forester by RM30,801, yet it is marginally quicker to 100 km/h at 9.5 seconds against 9.7 and carries 542 litres versus 496 litres. The Forester answers with all-wheel drive, X-Mode, 182 hp and 247 Nm, plus eight airbags, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. For Malaysian buyers, the Koleos is the rational lower-cost, roomier-luggage choice; pay extra for the Forester if active safety and traction matter more than boot capacity.
Pick the Renault Koleos if you want to save RM30,801, carry 46 litres more luggage and still get the quicker 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Subaru Forester if all-wheel drive, X-Mode, eight airbags and a proper active-safety suite are priorities.
Key differences
- Price: Renault Koleos RM191,888; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Power and torque: Koleos 171 hp and 226 Nm; Forester 182 hp and 247 Nm.
- Driveline: Koleos front-wheel drive; Forester all-wheel drive with X-Mode.
- 0-100 km/h: Koleos 9.5 seconds; Forester 9.7 seconds.
- Boot space: Koleos 542 litres; Forester 496 litres.
- Airbags: Koleos 6; Forester 8.
Koleos
- RM30,801 cheaper
- 542-litre boot and full-size spare tyre
- Quicker 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester's all-wheel drive and X-Mode
- Six airbags versus eight, with no autonomous braking or blind-spot monitoring
- Passive cruise control versus adaptive cruise control with stop and go
Forester
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode
- Eight airbags, autonomous braking and blind-spot monitoring
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go plus a 360-degree camera
- Costs RM30,801 more
- 496-litre boot is 46 litres smaller
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
What the Koleos has over the Forester
What the Forester has over the Koleos
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 Koleos: 542 litres against 496.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM191,888✓ | RM222,689 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830✓ | RM838 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,960/mo✓ | RM2,275/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM5,336✓ | RM6,137 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM3,224 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM16.12 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM46,949 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 171 hp at 6,000 rpm | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 226 Nm at 4,400 rpm | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 89 mm × 100 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | X-Tronic CVT | Lineartronic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 8.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,672 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,678 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,705 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 542 litres✓ | 496 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Nexen N Priz RH7 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with one-touch operation | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (5 colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.7" R-LINK 2 Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 3D sound by Arkamys, 8 speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down | 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used Koleos & Forester for sale
Our reviews & guides
Renault Koleos
Subaru Forester
Koleos vs Forester FAQ
Is the Renault Koleos or Subaru Forester better?
The Forester is better for safety and traction, with all-wheel drive, X-Mode, eight airbags and autonomous braking. The Koleos is better value for buyers who want a lower purchase price, a larger 542-litre boot and slightly quicker acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM30,801 more than the Renault Koleos.
Which SUV has more luggage space?
The Renault Koleos has the larger boot at 542 litres, compared with 496 litres in the Subaru Forester. It also carries a full-size spare tyre, while the Forester uses a space-saver.