Verdict
The Volvo XC40 is RM17,357 cheaper at RM268,888, yet adds City Safety autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, active cruise control and an 8-speed automatic. Its 460-litre boot and five-door SUV body also suit family duties better than the WRX’s 411 litres and four doors. The Subaru WRX is the sharper mechanical choice on paper: 271 hp, a six-speed manual and 1,510 kg versus 1,875 kg. But its RM767 annual road tax is RM339 more, and it misses the Volvo’s driver-assistance kit.
Pick the Subaru WRX if a 271-hp, 1,510-kg all-wheel-drive sedan with a six-speed manual matters more than SUV practicality and active safety aids.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want the lower purchase price, a 460-litre boot, automatic convenience and substantially more safety assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru WRX RM286,245; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Power and torque: Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm; Volvo XC40 263 hp and 390 Nm.
- Transmission: Subaru WRX six-speed manual; Volvo XC40 eight-speed Geartronic automatic.
- Weight: Subaru WRX 1,510 kg; Volvo XC40 1,875 kg.
- Boot space: Subaru WRX 411 litres; Volvo XC40 460 litres.
- Road tax: Subaru WRX RM767/year; Volvo XC40 RM428/year.
WRX
- 271 hp and a six-speed manual
- 365 kg lighter than the XC40
- 63-litre fuel tank
- RM17,357 more expensive
- RM339 higher annual road tax
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist
XC40
- 390 Nm and eight-speed automatic
- City Safety autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and active cruise control
- Unlimited-mileage five-year warranty plus 460-litre boot
- Eight hp less than the WRX
- 365 kg heavier than the WRX
- 49-litre tank is 14 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM286,245 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM767 | RM428✓ |
| 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✓ |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 WRX & XC40 for sale
WRX vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Subaru WRX or Volvo XC40 better?
The Volvo XC40 is the better choice for most Malaysian buyers because it costs less and has more safety assistance, a larger boot and an automatic. Pick the Subaru WRX only if its manual gearbox and lower 1,510-kg weight are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM17,357 more than the Volvo XC40. The WRX is RM286,245, while the XC40 is RM268,888.
Which has the better safety equipment?
The Volvo XC40 has the stronger safety list: City Safety autonomous braking with pedestrian, cyclist and large-animal detection, blind-spot monitoring, steering correction lane assist and collision warning. The WRX has ABS/EBD, stability control and airbags, but not those assistance systems.