Subaru WRX: GJ vs VB
Verdict
The outgoing Subaru WRX GJ is the cheaper, more practical buy at RM230,979 against RM286,245, with a 460-litre boot and RM379 road tax. The newer Subaru WRX VB asks RM55,266 more and gives you the larger 2,387 cc engine, 271 hp and 375 Nm, plus a manual gearbox. Both are C-segment CBU petrol sedans with all-wheel drive, five seats, seven airbags and a five-year warranty. For Malaysia, the choice is less about badge and more about gearbox, tax and boot space.
Pick the Subaru WRX GJ if you want the WRX formula with the lower price, lower RM379 road tax, CVT automatic and bigger 460-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru WRX VB if you want the newer generation with a manual gearbox, larger 2,387 cc engine and stronger 271 hp/375 Nm outputs.
Key differences
- Price: RM230,979 for the Subaru WRX GJ vs RM286,245 for the Subaru WRX VB
- Engine: 1,998 cc for the Subaru WRX GJ vs 2,387 cc for the Subaru WRX VB
- Output: 264 hp/350 Nm for the Subaru WRX GJ vs 271 hp/375 Nm for the Subaru WRX VB
- Transmission: CVT automatic in the Subaru WRX GJ vs manual in the Subaru WRX VB
- Size: 4,595 x 1,795 x 1,475 mm for the Subaru WRX GJ vs 4,669 x 1,826 x 1,468 mm for the Subaru WRX VB
- Boot and road tax: 460 litres/RM379 for the Subaru WRX GJ vs 411 litres/RM767 for the Subaru WRX VB
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 230,979✓ | RM 286,245 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Power | 264 hp | 271 hp✓ |
| Torque | 350 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Manual |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.3 s | — |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | — |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 8.6 L/100km | — |
| EV range | 0 km | — |
| CO₂ | 199 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,595 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,475 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Boot space | 460 L✓ | 411 L |
| Fuel tank | 60 L | 63 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 767 |
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.
GJ
- Costs RM55,266 less
- Larger 460-litre boot
- Lower RM379 annual road tax
- Less power and torque at 264 hp/350 Nm
- Smaller 1,998 cc engine
- CVT automatic only here
VB
- Stronger 271 hp and 375 Nm outputs
- Manual gearbox
- Longer 2,672 mm wheelbase
- Costs RM55,266 more
- Smaller 411-litre boot
- Higher RM767 annual road tax
GJ vs VB FAQ
Is the Subaru WRX GJ or Subaru WRX VB better?
The Subaru WRX VB is better if you want the newer, stronger manual WRX. The Subaru WRX GJ is better if price, boot space and annual road tax matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX VB costs RM55,266 more than the Subaru WRX GJ. That buys the larger 2,387 cc engine, higher 271 hp/375 Nm outputs and a manual gearbox, but boot space drops from 460 litres to 411 litres.
Which one is more practical for daily use?
On numbers alone, the Subaru WRX GJ is more practical: it has the bigger 460-litre boot, lower RM379 road tax and a CVT automatic. Both have five seats, all-wheel drive, seven airbags and a five-year warranty.