Verdict
The Subaru WRX is the dearer, more driver-focused choice at RM286,245, using a 271 hp/375 Nm 2.4-litre turbo flat-four, six-speed manual and AWD in a lower, lighter sedan body. The Volvo XC40 costs RM268,888 and answers with 263 hp/390 Nm, AWD, an eight-speed automatic, 460 litres of boot space, a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time and far more listed driver assistance. For a Malaysian buyer, the WRX asks an extra RM17,357 plus RM339 more road tax a year for the manual performance-car brief; the XC40 is easier to live with.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want the lighter AWD sedan with a 6-speed manual, 271 hp and a bigger 63-litre tank.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want the more practical AWD SUV with 390 Nm, an 8-speed automatic, stronger listed safety kit and lower running tax.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru WRX RM286,245; Volvo XC40 RM268,888
- Output: Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm; Volvo XC40 263 hp and 390 Nm
- Transmission: Subaru WRX 6-speed manual; Volvo XC40 8-speed Geartronic automatic
- Size and boot: Subaru WRX 4,669 mm long with 411 litres; Volvo XC40 4,425 mm long with 460 litres
- Weight and tank: Subaru WRX 1,510 kg with 63 litres; Volvo XC40 1,875 kg with 49 litres
- Driver assistance: Subaru WRX has passive cruise and no listed AEB; Volvo XC40 has active cruise and City Safety full auto brake
WRX
- More power: 271 hp versus 263 hp
- Much lighter: 1,510 kg versus 1,875 kg
- Manual gearbox with AWD
- Costs RM17,357 more to buy
- Smaller boot: 411 litres versus 460 litres
- No listed blind spot system, autonomous braking or active cruise control
XC40
- More torque: 390 Nm versus 375 Nm
- Bigger boot: 460 litres versus 411 litres
- City Safety auto braking, blind spot info and active cruise control are listed
- Heavier: 1,875 kg versus 1,510 kg
- Smaller fuel tank: 49 litres versus 63 litres
- Less power: 263 hp versus 271 hp
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 286,245 | RM 268,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 271 hp✓ | 263 hp |
| Torque | 375 Nm | 390 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Flat 4 | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 94 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed manual | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,669 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,826 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,672 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,510 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 411 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags | 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 | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 split folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 3 Front USB | 2 Front |
| 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 | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's side 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 Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 767 | RM 428✓ |
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 vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Subaru WRX or Volvo XC40 better?
The Volvo XC40 is the better all-rounder on paper, with more boot space, lower price, lower road tax and more listed safety assist. The Subaru WRX is the pick only if you specifically want the lighter manual AWD sedan.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM17,357 more than the Volvo XC40. Its annual road tax is also higher at RM767 versus RM428, a RM339 yearly gap.
Which is more practical for family use?
The Volvo XC40 is more practical. It has five doors, 460 litres of boot space, rear air vents, power rear door safety locks and more listed driver assistance; the Subaru WRX is a four-door sedan with a 411-litre boot.