Verdict
At RM173,800, the BMW 218 Gran Coupe is RM112,445 cheaper than the RM286,245 Subaru WRX manual, and its RM90 annual road tax is a far lighter ownership bill than RM767. It is the easier daily proposition too, with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch, powered memory front seats, rear air-con vents and 430 litres of boot space. The WRX answers with serious hardware: 271 hp and 375 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbo boxer, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. It is the enthusiast’s choice, but costs substantially more to buy and run.
Pick the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe if you want the RM112,445 lower entry price, automatic transmission and stronger everyday convenience kit.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual more than lower running costs.
Key differences
- Price: BMW RM173,800; Subaru RM286,245.
- Engine output: BMW 156 hp and 230 Nm; Subaru 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline: BMW front-wheel drive; Subaru all-wheel drive.
- Transmission: BMW seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic; Subaru six-speed manual.
- Annual road tax: BMW RM90; Subaru RM767.
- Boot space: BMW 430 litres; Subaru 411 litres.
2 Series Gran Coupe
- RM112,445 cheaper to buy
- Seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic
- Powered memory front seats and rear air-con vents
- 156 hp and 230 Nm trail the WRX's 271 hp and 375 Nm
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- Tyre repair kit instead of a space-saver spare
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm turbo boxer engine
- All-wheel drive with a six-speed manual
- Seven airbags and a space-saver spare tyre
- RM112,445 higher purchase price
- RM767 annual road tax versus RM90
- No rear air-con vents or 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 at 4,900 rpm | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 230 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 86 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 | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 7 (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 | 3 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 cost-conscious daily use, with an automatic gearbox, more boot space and lower road tax. The WRX is better for driving involvement and traction, pairing 271 hp and 375 Nm with all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM286,245, which is RM112,445 more than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe at RM173,800.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe costs RM90 per year in road tax. The Subaru WRX costs RM767 per year, a RM677 annual difference.
