Verdict
At RM190,788, the Subaru Crosstrek is the easier entry into Subaru AWD ownership, with the same 2,670 mm wheelbase, 63-litre tank and 18-inch Falken tyres as its sibling. The RM31,901 step to the RM222,689 Subaru Forester buys a 2.5-litre boxer engine with 182 hp and 247 Nm, plus a far more useful 496-litre boot against 315 litres. It is also 175 mm longer and RM400 dearer in annual road tax. Pick the Crosstrek for the smaller footprint and sunroof; take the Forester if family luggage and stronger output matter more.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if you want the lower RM190,788 price, a 4,480 mm body and a sunroof with front foglamps.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need the 496-litre boot, 182 hp 2.5-litre boxer engine and rear air-conditioning vents.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788; Subaru Forester RM222,689
- Engine output: Subaru Crosstrek 154 hp and 196 Nm; Subaru Forester 182 hp and 247 Nm
- Engine capacity: Subaru Crosstrek 1,995 cc; Subaru Forester 2,498 cc
- Boot space: Subaru Crosstrek 315 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres
- Length: Subaru Crosstrek 4,480 mm; Subaru Forester 4,655 mm
- Annual road tax: Subaru Crosstrek RM438; Subaru Forester RM838
Crosstrek
- RM31,901 less to buy
- Sunroof and front foglamps
- 175 mm shorter body
- 315-litre boot is 181 litres smaller
- 154 hp and 196 Nm trail the Forester
- No rear air-conditioning vents or powered boot
Forester
- 182 hp and 247 Nm from its 2.5-litre boxer engine
- 496-litre boot
- Rear air-conditioning vents and powered boot
- Costs RM31,901 more
- RM838 annual road tax is RM400 higher
- No sunroof or front foglamps
What the Crosstrek has over the Forester
What the Forester has over the Crosstrek
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 315.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM190,788✓ | RM222,689 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM438✓ | RM838 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,950/mo✓ | RM2,275/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM5,274✓ | RM6,137 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp at 6,000 rpm | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 196 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | Lineartronic |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 205 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,800 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,575 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 16 inch | 17 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | 12 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 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 | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion) | 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 for two rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 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 November 2026.
Used Crosstrek & Forester for sale
Our reviews & guides
Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru Forester
Crosstrek vs Forester FAQ
Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Subaru Forester better?
The Forester is better for carrying people and luggage, with 496 litres of boot space, rear air-conditioning vents and 182 hp. The Crosstrek is the better fit if its lower purchase price, shorter 4,480 mm length and sunroof are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM31,901 more than the Subaru Crosstrek: RM222,689 versus RM190,788. Its annual road tax is also RM400 higher, at RM838 rather than RM438.
Which Subaru has the larger boot?
The Subaru Forester has the larger boot at 496 litres, which is 181 litres more than the Subaru Crosstrek's 315 litres. Both have five seats and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.