Verdict
Both are Japan-built 2.4-litre manual Subarus with RM767 annual road tax, but they split cleanly. The BRZ costs RM249,245 and keeps things lean at 1,289 kg with rear-wheel drive, plus a quoted 6.3-second 0-100 km/h. The WRX asks RM286,245, with all-wheel drive and a much stronger 271 hp/375 Nm output. It also has four doors and five seats, with a 411-litre boot. For Malaysia, this is weekend-coupe focus versus one-car daily usability.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want the cheaper, lighter rear-drive coupe and can live with two doors and a 226-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you need stronger torque, all-wheel drive, four-door access and far more boot space from the same 2.4-litre capacity.
Key differences
- Price: RM249,245 vs RM286,245
- Output: 234 hp/250 Nm vs 271 hp/375 Nm
- Driveline/transmission: rear-wheel drive, Aisin 6-speed manual vs all-wheel drive, Subaru 6-speed manual
- Length/weight: 4,265 mm and 1,289 kg vs 4,669 mm and 1,510 kg
- Cabin/boot: 2 doors, 4 seats, 226 litres vs 4 doors, 5 seats, 411 litres
- Fuel tank/tyres: 50 litres, 215/40R18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs 63 litres, 245/40R18 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A
BRZ
- RM37,000 cheaper to buy
- 1,289 kg kerb weight, 221 kg lighter than the WRX
- Blind Spot Info System and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are listed
- 234 hp and 250 Nm trail the WRX’s 271 hp and 375 Nm
- Two-door body and 226-litre boot are less practical than the WRX’s four doors and 411 litres
- 50-litre fuel tank is smaller than the WRX’s 63 litres
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm give it a clear output advantage
- All-wheel drive with wider 245/40R18 tyres
- Five seats and a 411-litre boot suit daily family use better
- RM37,000 pricier than the BRZ
- 1,510 kg kerb weight is 221 kg heavier
- Blind Spot Info System and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are not listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 249,245✓ | RM 286,245 |
| Body type | Coupe | Sedan |
| Segment | Sports Car | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 234 hp | 271 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer | Flat 4 |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.5 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.3 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 226 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,265 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,775 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,310 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,289 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 4 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 226 litres | 411 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/40R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/40R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 767 | RM 767 |
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.
BRZ vs WRX FAQ
Is the Subaru BRZ or Subaru WRX better?
The WRX is better as the only car because it has all-wheel drive, four doors, five seats and a 411-litre boot. The BRZ is better if you want a lighter rear-drive coupe with a quoted 6.3-second 0-100 km/h.
What is the price difference?
The WRX is RM37,000 dearer. Warranty cover is the same at five years/100,000 km, and annual road tax is identical at RM767.
Which is more practical for daily use?
The WRX. It has four doors, five seats, a 411-litre boot and a 63-litre fuel tank. The BRZ has two doors, four seats, a 226-litre boot and a 50-litre tank.