Verdict
The Golf GTI is 30% more powerful, the Forester has a 29% bigger boot, while the Forester is about 9% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 222,689✓ | RM 244,012 |
| Body type | SUV | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 182 hp | 261 hp✓ |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 370 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | 7-Speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 205 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,655 mm | 4,289 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,631 mm |
| Weight | 1,643 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 496 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 225/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 225/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Richmond Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Richmond Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | SI-Drive and X-Mode | Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), Electronic Differential Lock (XDS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center 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 | 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, 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 | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 3-person Memory, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker Harman Kardon 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 | 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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✓ | 2 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 838 | RM 372✓ |
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.