smart #5 vs Subaru Forester
Verdict
The smart #5 is the sharper numbers car: RM199,800 versus RM222,689, 358 hp against 182 hp and 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds instead of 9.7. It is also larger where it counts, with a 2,900 mm wheelbase and 630-litre boot. The Forester answers with all-wheel drive, eight airbags, a five-year warranty and a 205 km/h top speed. For Malaysia, this is EV pace and space against petrol, AWD and a longer warranty.
Pick the smart #5 if you want the quicker, roomier EV with 590 km of range and a lower price.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want petrol power, all-wheel drive, more airbags and the longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: smart #5 RM199,800; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Propulsion: smart #5 single-motor EV with 100.0 kWh battery and 590 km range; Subaru Forester 2,498 cc petrol with 63 L fuel tank.
- Power and driven wheels: smart #5 358 hp, rear-wheel drive; Subaru Forester 182 hp, all-wheel drive.
- Performance: smart #5 0-100 km/h in 6.5 s and 200 km/h top speed; Subaru Forester 9.7 s and 205 km/h.
- Size and boot: smart #5 4,705 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,705 mm tall, 2,900 mm wheelbase, 630 L boot; Subaru Forester 4,655 mm, 1,830 mm, 1,730 mm, 2,670 mm,…
- Safety, warranty and road tax: smart #5 has 6 airbags, 4-year warranty and RM455 annual road tax; Subaru Forester has 8 airbags, 5-year warranty and RM838…
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 199,800✓ | RM 222,689 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Single motor | 2,498 cc |
| Power | 358 hp✓ | 182 hp |
| Torque | — | 247 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.5 s✓ | 9.7 s |
| Top speed | 200 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 100.0 kWh | — |
| EV range | 590 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,705 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,705 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Boot space | 630 L✓ | 496 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 63 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 8✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 4 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 455✓ | 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.
#5
- Lower RM199,800 price
- 358 hp and 6.5-second 0-100 km/h
- 590 km EV range and 630-litre boot
- Rear-wheel drive versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive
- Six airbags versus eight
- Four-year warranty versus five
Forester
- All-wheel drive
- Eight airbags
- Five-year warranty
- Costs RM22,889 more
- 182 hp and 9.7-second 0-100 km/h trail the smart #5
- 496-litre boot is smaller
#5 vs Forester FAQ
Is the smart #5 or Subaru Forester better?
The smart #5 is better for pace, space and lower running-tax cost on paper. The Subaru Forester is better if all-wheel drive, eight airbags and a five-year warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The smart #5 costs RM199,800, while the Subaru Forester costs RM222,689. The Subaru is RM22,889 more expensive.
Which is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The smart #5 is quicker. It does 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, while the Subaru Forester takes 9.7 seconds.