Verdict
This is a straight old-school WRX choice: Subaru WRX Ver 10 has the harder numbers, with 296 hp and 407 Nm against the Subaru WRX VB’s 271 hp and 375 Nm, both with manual gearboxes and all-wheel drive. The VB gives back practicality: it is 89 mm longer, has a 47 mm longer wheelbase and a 411-litre boot versus 320 litres. It also carries a slightly lower annual road tax. If you want space, take the newer car. If you want output, the Ver 10 still has the edge.
Pick the Subaru WRX Ver 10 if you want the stronger manual AWD sedan on paper, with 25 hp and 32 Nm more than the VB.
Pick the Subaru WRX VB if you want the newer, roomier manual AWD WRX with a bigger boot and lower yearly road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru WRX Ver 10 RM259,800; Subaru WRX VB RM286,245
- Engine output: Subaru WRX Ver 10 296 hp/407 Nm; Subaru WRX VB 271 hp/375 Nm
- Engine size: Subaru WRX Ver 10 2,457 cc; Subaru WRX VB 2,387 cc
- Size: Subaru WRX Ver 10 4,580 mm long/2,625 mm wheelbase; Subaru WRX VB 4,669 mm long/2,672 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: Subaru WRX Ver 10 320 litres; Subaru WRX VB 411 litres
- Road tax: Subaru WRX Ver 10 RM837/year; Subaru WRX VB RM767/year
Ver 10
- More power at 296 hp
- More torque at 407 Nm
- Manual gearbox with all-wheel drive
- Smaller 320-litre boot
- Shorter 2,625 mm wheelbase
- Higher RM837 annual road tax
VB
- Larger 411-litre boot
- Longer 2,672 mm wheelbase
- Lower RM767 annual road tax
- Down 25 hp versus the Ver 10
- Down 32 Nm versus the Ver 10
- Costs RM26,445 more
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM259,800✓ | RM286,245 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM837 | RM767✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, turbocharged with high-capacity intercooler and dual variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,457 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 296 hp✓ | 271 hp |
| Torque | 407 Nm✓ | 375 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 99.5 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.2 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,580 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,470 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,625 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,515 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 320 litres | 411 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | 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 Wishbone | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 4 stars — Equivalent to Subaru Impreza with 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to Subaru Impreza with 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Both rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for two rear passenger seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Xenon projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 6-way manual adjustment driver, 4-way manual adjustment front passenger | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 split folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone automatic climate control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | Centre tray, centre console box | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map, room | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | Two front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Radio with CD, AUX, 6 speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All four windows, driver auto up and down with anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless push start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote control activation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | — | 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
Ver 10 vs VB FAQ
Is the Subaru WRX Ver 10 or Subaru WRX VB better?
For performance numbers, the Subaru WRX Ver 10 is better: 296 hp and 407 Nm beat 271 hp and 375 Nm. For daily practicality, the Subaru WRX VB is better, with a 411-litre boot and longer wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX Ver 10 is RM259,800, while the Subaru WRX VB is RM286,245. That makes the Subaru WRX VB RM26,445 more expensive.
Do both cars have manual gearboxes and all-wheel drive?
Yes. Both the Subaru WRX Ver 10 and Subaru WRX VB use manual transmissions and all-wheel drive, so the main split is output and size rather than drivetrain layout.