Verdict
At RM222,689 for the Forester and RM221,800 for the Camry, the RM889 gap is negligible; the choice is shape and drivetrain. The Subaru brings all-wheel drive, 1,730 mm height, X-Mode and a 60:40 split-folding rear seat, which suit buyers wanting an SUV layout. The Toyota is 78 kg lighter, has 201 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, 0.8 seconds ahead of the Forester. It also has the longer 2,825 mm wheelbase, 524-litre boot and richer cabin kit, but its rear seats do not fold.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want all-wheel drive, X-Mode and a split-folding rear seat in a taller SUV body.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you want stronger 201 hp performance, a larger 524-litre boot and more cabin equipment for RM889 less.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester RM222,689; Toyota Camry RM221,800.
- Power and 0-100 km/h: Forester 182 hp and 9.7 seconds; Camry 201 hp and 8.9 seconds.
- Driveline and transmission: Forester all-wheel drive with Lineartronic CVT; Camry front-wheel drive with Direct Shift 8-speed automatic.
- Dimensions: Forester 4,655 mm long, 1,730 mm tall and 2,670 mm wheelbase; Camry 4,920 mm long, 1,445 mm tall and 2,825 mm wheelbase.
- Boot and rear seating: Forester 496 litres with 60:40 split-folding seats; Camry 524 litres with fixed rear seats.
- Weight and fuel tank: Forester 1,643 kg and 63 litres; Camry 1,565 kg and 60 litres.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Powered boot and 360-degree view monitor.
- 182 hp versus the Camry's 201 hp.
- 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time versus 8.9 seconds.
- No front parking sensors, head-up display or rear USB ports.
Camry
- 201 hp and an 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 524-litre boot, 28 litres larger than the Forester's.
- Head-up display, 9-speaker JBL audio and front parking sensors.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the Forester's all-wheel drive.
- Fixed rear seats, where the Forester has 60:40 split folding.
- Tyre repair kit rather than the Forester's space-saver spare.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM222,689 | RM221,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 182 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 247 Nm✓ | 246 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds | 8.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 205 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,655 mm | 4,920 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,825 mm |
| Weight | 1,643 kg | 1,565 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 496 litres | 524 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | Space Saver |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | SI-Drive and X-Mode | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| 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 | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Ottoman Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Fixed Rear Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Sun Shades |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 9-speaker JBL 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM838✓ | RM867 |
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 & Camry for sale
Forester vs Camry FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester or Toyota Camry better?
The Camry is the stronger road-car choice: 201 hp, 8.9-second 0-100 km/h performance, a 524-litre boot and more equipment for RM889 less. Choose the Forester instead for all-wheel drive, X-Mode and split-folding rear seats.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM222,689 and the Toyota Camry costs RM221,800. The Forester is RM889 more expensive.
Which has the more useful rear seating arrangement?
The Forester does. Its rear bench splits 60:40 and folds, while the Camry's rear seats are fixed. The Camry has the larger stated boot at 524 litres versus 496 litres, but cannot extend it through the cabin.