Verdict
The RM22,739 gap puts the Forester at RM222,689, but it buys a much larger five-seat SUV with a 496-litre boot, 182 hp and 247 Nm. Its 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time is far removed from the Jimny 5-Door’s 17.2 seconds, and the Subaru adds autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Jimny counters with a compact 3,985-mm length, a low-range part-time four-wheel-drive system and RM120 annual road tax versus RM838. Choose space and daily-use safety in the Subaru; choose small dimensions and low-range hardware in the Suzuki.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need five seats, a 496-litre boot, substantially stronger 182 hp performance and active safety systems.
Pick the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door if a 3,985-mm footprint, low-range part-time four-wheel drive and RM120 annual road tax matter more than cabin and boot space.
Key differences
- Price and road tax: Subaru Forester RM222,689 and RM838/year; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door RM199,950 and RM120/year.
- Engine output: Subaru Forester 2,498 cc, 182 hp and 247 Nm; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door 1,462 cc, 100 hp and 130 Nm.
- Performance: Subaru Forester reaches 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds and 205 km/h; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door takes 17.2 seconds and reaches 140 km/h.
- Accommodation: Subaru Forester has five seats and a 496-litre boot; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door has four seats and a 211-litre boot.
- Size: Subaru Forester is 4,655 mm long and 1,830 mm wide; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door is 3,985 mm long and 1,645 mm wide.
- Driver assistance: Subaru Forester has autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control; Suzuki Jimny 5-Door has none of these systems.
Forester
- Five seats and a 496-litre boot.
- 182 hp, 247 Nm and a 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
- RM22,739 dearer to buy and RM718 more in annual road tax.
- 670 mm longer and 185 mm wider than the Jimny 5-Door.
- Uses a space-saver spare rather than the Jimny 5-Door’s full-size alloy spare.
Jimny 5-Door
- Compact 3,985-mm length and 1,645-mm width.
- Low-range part-time four-wheel-drive system.
- RM120 annual road tax and a full-size 15-inch alloy spare wheel.
- Only four seats and a 211-litre boot, against the Forester’s five seats and 496 litres.
- 100 hp and 130 Nm result in a 17.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM222,689 | RM199,950✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM838 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,462 cc |
| Horsepower | 182 hp✓ | 100 hp |
| Torque | 247 Nm✓ | 130 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | 4AT |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds✓ | 17.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 205 km/h✓ | 140 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,655 mm | 3,985 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,645 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,590 mm |
| Weight | 1,643 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 496 litres✓ | 211 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 195/80R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 195/80R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-size 15" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Bridgestone Dueller H/L |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | India (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Solid Axle with Coil Springs |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Recirculating Ball (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | SI-Drive and X-Mode | Part-time Four-wheel Drive with Low Range |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front 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 | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For Front Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger | Manual adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Rear |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 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 Forester & Jimny 5-Door for sale
Forester vs Jimny 5-Door FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester or Suzuki Jimny 5-Door better?
The Forester is better for family use: it has five seats, a 496-litre boot, much quicker acceleration and a broader driver-assistance package. The Jimny 5-Door suits buyers prioritising compact dimensions and low-range four-wheel-drive hardware.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM22,739 more than the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door. Its annual road tax is also RM718 higher, at RM838 versus RM120.
Which has the larger boot?
The Subaru Forester has the larger boot at 496 litres, which is 285 litres more than the Suzuki Jimny 5-Door’s 211 litres. The Forester also has five seats, while the Jimny 5-Door has four.