Verdict
At RM190,788, the Subaru Crosstrek is RM128 dearer than the RM190,660 Volkswagen Tayron, yet they suit very different Malaysian households. The Tayron brings seven seats, a 345-litre boot and a 2,790-mm wheelbase, against the Crosstrek’s five seats, 315 litres and 2,670 mm. Its 250 Nm turbo mild-hybrid drivetrain also beats 196 Nm. But the Subaru counters with all-wheel drive, a 63-litre tank and a five-year/100,000-km warranty; its RM438 annual road tax is RM318 higher than the Tayron’s.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if all-wheel drive, a 63-litre fuel tank and five-year/100,000-km warranty matter more than seven-seat practicality.
Pick the Volkswagen Tayron if you need seven seats, 250 Nm, rear air-con and a lower RM120 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788; Volkswagen Tayron RM190,660
- Seats: Subaru Crosstrek 5; Volkswagen Tayron 7
- Torque: Subaru Crosstrek 196 Nm; Volkswagen Tayron 250 Nm
- Driveline: Subaru Crosstrek all-wheel drive; Volkswagen Tayron front-wheel drive
- Boot space: Subaru Crosstrek 315 litres; Volkswagen Tayron 345 litres
- Warranty: Subaru Crosstrek 5 years/100,000 km; Volkswagen Tayron 2 years/unlimited mileage
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive
- 63-litre fuel tank
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty
- Five seats versus the Tayron’s seven
- 315-litre boot versus 345 litres
- RM438 annual road tax versus RM120
Tayron
- Seven seats with sliding second row and folding third row
- 250 Nm turbo mild-hybrid petrol drivetrain
- Ventilated and massaging front seats
- Front-wheel drive versus the Crosstrek’s all-wheel drive
- Two-year warranty versus five years
- 55-litre fuel tank versus 63 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM190,788 | RM190,660✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM438 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 154 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 196 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,792 mm |
| Width | 1,800 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,575 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,790 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 345 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Hankook Ventus evoSUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Dynamic Chassis Control Pro |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion | Driver and Front Passenger, Front & Rear Side Bags, Curtain Airbags & Front Centre Airbag |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two rear passenger seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat and 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Manual Rear Window Blinds |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 12.9" Discover Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 8-speaker Volkswagen Sound System |
| 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 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.
Used Crosstrek & Tayron for sale
Crosstrek vs Tayron FAQ
Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Volkswagen Tayron better?
The Tayron is the stronger family choice with seven seats, a larger 345-litre boot, 250 Nm and rear air-con. Choose the Crosstrek instead if all-wheel drive, a larger 63-litre tank and longer five-year warranty are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Tayron costs RM128 less than the Subaru Crosstrek. The small gap makes this a choice driven by seating needs, drivetrain and ownership cover rather than purchase price.
Which SUV is more practical for passengers?
The Volkswagen Tayron is more practical for carrying people: it has seven seats, a 2,790-mm wheelbase, rear air-con and six cup holders across three rows. The Subaru Crosstrek has five seats and a 2,670-mm wheelbase.