Subaru Crosstrek vs Tesla Model Y
Verdict
The Subaru Crosstrek is the more conventional all-weather SUV here, with a 1,995 cc petrol engine, CVT and all-wheel drive, plus a longer 5-year warranty. The Tesla Model Y asks RM4,662 more and goes much bigger: 4,790 mm long, 2,129 mm wide, with a 2,891 mm wheelbase and 854-litre boot. It also does 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and claims 466 km of EV range. For Malaysian buyers, this is really AWD petrol security versus EV pace and space.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if you want petrol refuelling, all-wheel drive and a 5-year warranty in a smaller SUV footprint.
Pick the Tesla Model Y if you want far more boot space, 466 km of electric range and much quicker 0-100 km/h performance.
Key differences
- Powertrain: Subaru 1,995 cc petrol; Tesla single electric motor
- Driven wheels: Subaru All Wheel Drive; Tesla Rear Wheel Drive
- Boot space: Subaru 315 L; Tesla 854 L
- Size: Subaru 4,480 mm long and 1,800 mm wide; Tesla 4,790 mm long and 2,129 mm wide
- Wheelbase: Subaru 2,670 mm; Tesla 2,891 mm
- Road tax: Subaru RM438/year; Tesla RM305/year
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive is standard
- 5-year warranty beats Tesla’s 4 years
- Smaller 1,800 mm width is easier to place
- 315-litre boot is much smaller
- 154 hp and 196 Nm look modest here
- No 0-100 km/h figure listed
Model Y
- 854-litre boot is huge by comparison
- 466 km EV range
- 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rear-wheel drive only
- 4-year warranty is shorter
- 2,129 mm width needs more care in tight parking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 190,788✓ | RM 195,450 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 154 hp | — |
| Torque | 196 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| EV Range | — | 466 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| 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) |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 438 | RM 305✓ |
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.
Crosstrek vs Model Y FAQ
Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Tesla Model Y better?
The Tesla Model Y is better for space and performance, with 854 litres of boot space and a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The Subaru Crosstrek is better if you want petrol refuelling, all-wheel drive and a longer 5-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model Y costs RM195,450, while the Subaru Crosstrek costs RM190,788. That makes the Tesla RM4,662 more expensive.
Which one has more boot space?
The Tesla Model Y has far more boot space at 854 litres. The Subaru Crosstrek has 315 litres, so the Tesla gives you an extra 539 litres for luggage, strollers or bulky weekly shopping.