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
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
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM230,979✓ | RM286,245 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 264 hp | 271 hp✓ |
| Torque | 350 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 86 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.3 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 8.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | — |
| 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 |
| Weight | 1,529 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | 17" Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for outer two rear passenger seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 split folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio CD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and 6 Speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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 cars for sale
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.