Verdict
These SUVs serve sharply different Malaysian use cases. The Subaru Forester is the roomier, more practical choice, stretching 4,655 mm long with a 496-litre boot, rear air-con vents and all-wheel drive. Its 182 hp petrol engine takes 9.7 seconds to 100 km/h, though, while the Volvo EX30’s 268 hp rear motor does it in 5.3 seconds. The EX30 also cuts annual road tax to RM260 versus RM838, carries a 69 kWh battery rated for 476 km, and supports 175 kW DC charging. Choose space and AWD in the Forester; choose pace and EV running costs in the EX30.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need the 496-litre boot, rear air-con vents and all-wheel drive for family duties and varied-road travel.
Pick the Volvo EX30 if you can live with a 318-litre boot and want 268 hp, a 476 km EV range and much lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester RM222,689; Volvo EX30 RM208,888.
- Performance: Forester 182 hp, 247 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds; EX30 268 hp, 343 Nm and 5.3 seconds.
- Driveline: Forester all-wheel drive; EX30 rear-wheel drive.
- Size and boot: Forester 4,655 mm long with 496 litres; EX30 4,223 mm long with 318 litres.
- Running hardware: Forester 2.5-litre petrol engine and RM838 annual road tax; EX30 69 kWh battery and RM260 annual road tax.
- Charging: Forester has no charging provision; EX30 accepts 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC charging, plus 3.6 kW V2L.
Forester
- 496-litre boot and a longer 4,655 mm body
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode
- Rear air-con vents and a space-saver spare tyre
- 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the EX30’s 5.3 seconds
- RM838 annual road tax is RM578 higher
- No front parking sensors, auto parking or built-in navigation
EX30
- 268 hp and 343 Nm motor; 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds
- 476 km rated range, 175 kW DC charging and 3.6 kW V2L
- Auto parking, six front and six rear parking sensors, and a panoramic glass roof
- 318-litre boot is 178 litres smaller
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- No rear air-con vents or spare tyre; it uses a tyre repair kit
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM222,689 | RM208,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM838 | RM260✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 182 hp | — |
| Torque | 247 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 69 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 476 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 175 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 205 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,655 mm | 4,223 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,837 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Weight | 1,643 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 496 litres✓ | 318 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 24545R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Alloys |
| 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 | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| 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 | — |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| 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 | 12.3" Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & EX30 for sale
Forester vs EX30 FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester or Volvo EX30 better?
The Forester is better for passengers, luggage and all-wheel-drive confidence, thanks to its 496-litre boot and rear air-con vents. The EX30 is better for acceleration, annual road tax and EV charging, with 268 hp and a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM222,689 and the Volvo EX30 costs RM208,888, so the Forester is RM13,801 more expensive.
Which one is faster and cheaper to tax each year?
The Volvo EX30 is much faster, reaching 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds against the Forester’s 9.7 seconds. Its annual road tax is also RM260, compared with RM838 for the 2.5-litre petrol Forester.