Verdict
At RM222,689, the Subaru Forester undercuts the RM281,073 Xpeng X9 by RM58,384, and it is the easier fit if you want a five-seat petrol SUV with all-wheel drive. The X9 is a very different spend: a seven-seat electric MPV with 315 hp, 450 Nm, 535 km of range and a much larger 721-litre boot. It is also quicker to 100 km/h, but the Forester is lighter by 1,107 kg and has the higher 205 km/h top speed.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want the cheaper petrol option, all-wheel drive and a more compact five-seat SUV body.
Pick the Xpeng X9 if you need seven seats, a bigger boot, EV range and much stronger cabin equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester RM222,689; Xpeng X9 RM281,073
- Power and torque: Forester 182 hp/247 Nm; X9 315 hp/450 Nm
- Driveline: Forester all-wheel drive; X9 front-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h: Forester 9.7 seconds; X9 8.2 seconds
- Seats and boot: Forester 5 seats/496 litres; X9 7 seats/721 litres
- Road tax: Forester RM838/year; X9 RM365/year
Forester
- RM58,384 cheaper to buy
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode
- Lighter body at 1,643 kg versus 2,750 kg
- Only five seats versus the X9’s seven
- Smaller 496-litre boot versus 721 litres
- Slower 0-100 km/h time at 9.7 seconds versus 8.2 seconds
X9
- 315 hp and 450 Nm electric motor is much stronger on paper
- 535 km EV range with 94.8 kWh LFP battery
- Seven seats, second-row captain seats and 721-litre boot
- Costs RM58,384 more to buy
- Front-wheel drive only versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive
- Much heavier at 2,750 kg versus 1,643 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 222,689✓ | RM 281,073 |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | — |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 182 hp | — |
| Torque | 247 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 315 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) |
| Battery Capacity | — | 94.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 535 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 537 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds | 8.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 205 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,655 mm | 5,316 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,988 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 3,160 mm |
| Weight | 1,643 kg | 2,750 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 496 litres | 721 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| 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 | Air Suspension, Rear-axle Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags, Integrated Second Row Seat Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Second & Third Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| 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 | Driver and Front Passenger Powered Seats, Front Seat Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 14-way Second Row Individual Captain Seats with Ventilation, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row with One-touch Electric Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Triple-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Double Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 17.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 27-speaker XOpera 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Front Doors & Rear Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 120,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 838 | RM 365✓ |
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 vs X9 FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester or Xpeng X9 better?
The Xpeng X9 is better for space, performance and equipment, with seven seats, 315 hp and 535 km range. The Subaru Forester is better if you want a cheaper, smaller petrol SUV with all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM222,689, while the Xpeng X9 costs RM281,073. That makes the X9 RM58,384 more expensive before considering the Forester’s higher RM838 annual road tax versus RM365 for the X9.
Which has more space for family use?
The Xpeng X9 has the clear space advantage: seven seats, a 3,160 mm wheelbase and 721 litres of boot space. The Subaru Forester has five seats, a 2,670 mm wheelbase and a 496-litre boot.