Subaru WRX vs Toyota Camry
Verdict
The Subaru WRX costs RM286,245 against the Toyota Camry’s RM221,800, so the RM64,445 gap has to be justified by how you drive. The WRX gives you 271 hp, 375 Nm, a manual gearbox and all-wheel drive in a smaller C-segment sedan. The Camry is the larger D-segment choice, with 524 litres of boot space, a 2,825 mm wheelbase, conventional automatic transmission and autonomous emergency braking. For most Malaysian daily use, the Toyota is easier to recommend. For driver commitment, the Subaru has the harder numbers.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want a manual, all-wheel-drive sedan with 271 hp and 375 Nm, and you are buying for involvement rather than space.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you want the bigger sedan, the larger 524-litre boot, an automatic gearbox and autonomous emergency braking.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru WRX RM286,245; Toyota Camry RM221,800
- Power and torque: Subaru WRX 271 hp/375 Nm; Toyota Camry 201 hp/246 Nm
- Transmission and drive: Subaru WRX manual/AWD; Toyota Camry conventional automatic/FWD
- Size: Subaru WRX 4,669 mm long with 2,672 mm wheelbase; Toyota Camry 4,920 mm long with 2,825 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Subaru WRX 411 litres; Toyota Camry 524 litres
- Safety kit shown: Subaru WRX 7 airbags and no AEB listed; Toyota Camry 7 airbags and AEB
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 286,245 | RM 221,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 2,387 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Power | 271 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 375 Nm✓ | 246 Nm |
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | — | 8.9 s |
| Top speed | — | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,669 mm | 4,920 mm |
| Width | 1,826 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,672 mm | 2,825 mm |
| Boot space | 411 L | 524 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 63 L | 60 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 767✓ | RM 867 |
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.
WRX
- Strong 271 hp and 375 Nm outputs
- Manual gearbox
- All-wheel drive
- RM64,445 dearer
- Smaller 411-litre boot
- No autonomous emergency braking listed
Camry
- Larger D-segment body
- 524-litre boot
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lower 201 hp and 246 Nm outputs
- Front-wheel drive only
- RM867 yearly road tax versus RM767
WRX vs Camry FAQ
Is the Subaru WRX or Toyota Camry better?
The Toyota Camry is better for most buyers because it is cheaper, larger, has a bigger boot and gets AEB. The Subaru WRX is better if you specifically want a manual all-wheel-drive sedan with much stronger outputs.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX is RM64,445 more expensive than the Toyota Camry. That extra money buys 70 hp more, 129 Nm more, a manual gearbox and all-wheel drive, but not the Camry’s space advantage.
Which car has more space?
The Toyota Camry has more space on paper: it is 4,920 mm long with a 2,825 mm wheelbase and a 524-litre boot. The Subaru WRX is 4,669 mm long, has a 2,672 mm wheelbase and a 411-litre boot.