Verdict
At RM190,788, the Subaru Crosstrek undercuts the RM198,000 Tesla Model Y by RM7,212, but the Tesla brings far more shove: its rear motor makes 295 hp and 420 Nm against the Subaru’s 154 hp and 196 Nm petrol 2.0 litre. It also has a 60 kWh battery rated for 466 km, 854 litres of boot space and lower RM305 annual road tax. The Crosstrek fights back with all-wheel drive, a tighter 4,480 mm body and a five-year/100,000 km warranty. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge, the Model Y is the stronger package; the Subaru suits those prioritising AWD and a smaller footprint.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if all-wheel drive, a 310 mm shorter body and five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty matter more than EV range and outright performance.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if you can charge at home or work and want 466 km EV range, 295 hp, 854 litres of boot space and lower annual road tax for RM7,212 more.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788; Tesla Model Y RM198,000.
- Power and torque: Crosstrek 154 hp and 196 Nm; Model Y 295 hp and 420 Nm.
- Driveline: Crosstrek all-wheel drive; Model Y rear-wheel drive.
- Length and wheelbase: Crosstrek 4,480 mm and 2,670 mm; Model Y 4,790 mm and 2,891 mm.
- Boot space: Crosstrek 315 litres; Model Y 854 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: Crosstrek five years/100,000 km; Model Y four years/80,000 km.
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive
- 310 mm shorter than the Model Y
- Five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty
- 154 hp and 196 Nm versus 295 hp and 420 Nm
- 315-litre boot versus 854 litres
- RM438 annual road tax versus RM305
Model Y
- 466 km range from a 60 kWh battery
- 175 kW DC charging and 11 kW AC charging
- Heated and ventilated front seats, plus heated rear seats
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- 4,790 mm length is 310 mm greater than the Crosstrek
- Four-year/80,000 km manufacturer warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM190,788✓ | RM198,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM438 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 154 hp | — |
| Torque | 196 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 295 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 60 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 466 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 175 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 5.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,790 mm |
| Width | 1,800 mm | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,575 mm | 1,624 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,891 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,921 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 854 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Crossflow Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with LED Lighter |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Heated & Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding, Heated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Rear Screen |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 9 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 Crosstrek & Model Y for sale
Crosstrek vs Model Y FAQ
Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Tesla Model Y better?
The Tesla Model Y is the better choice for buyers with dependable charging: it costs only RM7,212 more but delivers 295 hp, 466 km range, 854 litres of cargo space and lower road tax. Choose the Crosstrek for all-wheel drive and its longer manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model Y costs RM7,212 more than the Subaru Crosstrek: RM198,000 versus RM190,788.
Which has more luggage space?
The Tesla Model Y has 854 litres of boot space, substantially more than the Subaru Crosstrek’s 315 litres. The Tesla’s advantage is 539 litres.