Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the RM112,445 cheaper BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is the rational daily sedan: its 430-litre boot, 40:20:40 rear backrest, rear air vents and powered memory front seats make the lower price feel properly supported. Its 156 hp and 230 Nm are a long way behind the Subaru WRX’s 271 hp and 375 Nm, however, and the BMW sends them through the front wheels. Pay RM286,245 for the WRX if its six-speed manual and all-wheel drive are the point; this is the enthusiast’s choice, not the better-equipped commuter.
Pick the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe if you want to save RM112,445 while gaining a larger 430-litre boot, powered memory seats and more parking assistance.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, and accept its much higher price and leaner convenience kit.
Key differences
- Price: BMW RM173,800; Subaru RM286,245.
- Power and torque: BMW 156 hp and 230 Nm; Subaru 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline and gearbox: BMW front-wheel drive with seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic; Subaru all-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Boot space: BMW 430 litres; Subaru 411 litres.
- Parking sensors: BMW has six front and six rear sensors; Subaru has no front sensors and four rear sensors.
- Road tax: BMW RM90 per year; Subaru RM767 per year.
2 Series Gran Coupe
- RM112,445 lower purchase price
- 430-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat
- Powered memory front seats, rear vents and six front parking sensors
- 156 hp and 230 Nm trail the WRX’s 271 hp and 375 Nm
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- No manual gearbox option
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm
- All-wheel drive and six-speed manual
- Five-year, 100,000-km manufacturer warranty
- Costs RM112,445 more
- 411-litre boot is 19 litres smaller
- Manual front seats, no rear air vents and no front parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM173,800✓ | RM286,245 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 156 hp | 271 hp✓ |
| Torque | 230 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,546 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 2,070 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 430 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Y-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Y-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver-side Memory Function | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 9 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 2 Series Gran Coupe & WRX for sale
2 Series Gran Coupe vs WRX FAQ
Is the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe or Subaru WRX better?
The BMW is better for lower-cost daily use, with a RM173,800 price, more boot space and more convenience equipment. The Subaru is better for the driver seeking 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM286,245 and the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe costs RM173,800, so the WRX carries a RM112,445 premium.
Which is more practical for passengers and luggage?
The BMW has the edge: its boot holds 430 litres against the WRX’s 411 litres, its rear seat splits 40:20:40 rather than 60:40, and it adds rear air vents. Both are five-seat, four-door sedans.
