Verdict
At RM267,800, the BMW 3 Series undercuts the RM286,245 Subaru WRX by RM18,445 while adding an eight-speed automatic, 480-litre boot and a 2,851-mm wheelbase. It is also the easier Malaysian daily proposition with autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and rear air-con. The WRX answers with far stronger outputs – 271 hp and 375 Nm against 184 hp and 300 Nm – plus all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. Choose the BMW for equipment and practicality; buy the Subaru for its drivetrain and performance hardware.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the lower price, eight-speed automatic and a far fuller active-safety and parking-assistance suite.
Pick the Subaru WRX if 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual matter more than driver assistance and cabin equipment.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Output: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline and gearbox: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive with an 8-speed automatic; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive with a 6-speed manual.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres.
- Wheelbase: BMW 3 Series 2,851 mm; Subaru WRX 2,672 mm.
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series 2 years with unlimited mileage; Subaru WRX 5 years or 100,000 km.
3 Series
- RM18,445 less expensive.
- Autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist.
- 480-litre boot, rear air-con and power front seats with driver memory.
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the WRX's 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Rear-wheel drive versus the WRX's all-wheel drive.
- Six airbags versus seven, and a shorter two-year manufacturer warranty.
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbo boxer four.
- All-wheel drive and six-speed manual gearbox.
- Seven airbags, plus a five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Costs RM18,445 more.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist or collision warning.
- 411-litre boot is 69 litres smaller, and there is no rear air-con.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM286,245 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | 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's 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, 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 with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| 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 |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| 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 3 Series & WRX for sale
3 Series vs WRX FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Subaru WRX better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for daily usability, safety assistance and luggage capacity. The Subaru WRX is the better fit if you specifically want a manual, all-wheel drive and its 271 hp/375 Nm advantage.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM18,445 more than the BMW 3 Series.
Which car has more safety equipment?
The BMW 3 Series has the broader active-safety package: autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and collision warning. The WRX has seven airbags to the BMW's six, but lacks those assistance systems.
