Subaru Forester vs Toyota bZ4X
Verdict
These two sit almost on top of each other on price: the Subaru Forester is RM222,689 and the Toyota bZ4X is RM220,000, so the Toyota is RM2,689 cheaper. The bZ4X is the quicker car, with 224 hp and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, plus 525 km of EV range and RM200 annual road tax. The Forester answers with all-wheel drive, a 205 km/h top speed, a taller body and a larger 496-litre boot. For Malaysia, this is petrol AWD practicality versus lower-tax electric pace.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want petrol power, all-wheel drive, a 63-litre fuel tank and the larger 496-litre boot.
Pick the Toyota bZ4X if you want EV running, quicker 7.4-second acceleration, 525 km of range and RM200 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester RM222,689; Toyota bZ4X RM220,000
- Powertrain: Subaru Forester 2,498 cc petrol; Toyota bZ4X single-motor electric
- Power and acceleration: Subaru Forester 182 hp, 0-100 km/h in 9.7 s; Toyota bZ4X 224 hp, 0-100 km/h in 7.4 s
- Driven wheels: Subaru Forester all-wheel drive; Toyota bZ4X front-wheel drive
- Boot space: Subaru Forester 496 L; Toyota bZ4X 452 L
- Road tax: Subaru Forester RM838/year; Toyota bZ4X RM200/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 222,689 | RM 220,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Engine | 2,498 cc | Single motor |
| Power | 182 hp | 224 hp✓ |
| Torque | 247 Nm | — |
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 9.7 s | 7.4 s✓ |
| Top speed | 205 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 73.1 kWh |
| EV range | — | 525 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,655 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Boot space | 496 L✓ | 452 L |
| Fuel tank | 63 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 | 8 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 838 | RM 200✓ |
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.
Forester
- All-wheel drive
- Larger 496-litre boot
- Higher 205 km/h top speed
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher RM838 annual road tax
- Costs RM2,689 more
bZ4X
- Quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- 525 km EV range
- Lower RM200 annual road tax
- Front-wheel drive only
- Smaller 452-litre boot
- Lower 160 km/h top speed
Forester vs bZ4X FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester or Toyota bZ4X better?
The Toyota bZ4X is better for acceleration, EV running costs and road tax. The Subaru Forester is better if you want all-wheel drive, a petrol drivetrain and more boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM222,689, while the Toyota bZ4X costs RM220,000. That makes the Toyota RM2,689 cheaper.
Which one has more space?
The Toyota bZ4X is longer, wider and has a longer wheelbase, but the Subaru Forester has the bigger boot at 496 litres versus 452 litres.