Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class costs RM6,643 more at RM292,888, but the extra spend brings a 9G-Tronic automatic, 455-litre boot, rear air vents and a far fuller active-safety suite, including autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist. Its 1.5-litre petrol hybrid setup returns a rated 6.6 L/100 km and incurs only RM90 annual road tax. The Subaru WRX is the harder-driving proposition: 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual against 201 hp, 300 Nm and rear-wheel drive. Choose by priorities, not badge alone.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you want an automatic compact executive sedan with lower RM90 road tax, more boot space and active safety assistance.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual for RM6,643 less.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Power and torque: C-Class 201 hp and 300 Nm; WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline and gearbox: C-Class rear-wheel drive with nine-speed automatic; WRX all-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Annual road tax: C-Class RM90; WRX RM767.
- Boot space: C-Class 455 litres; WRX 411 litres.
- Wheelbase: C-Class 2,865 mm; WRX 2,672 mm.
C-Class
- Rated 6.6 L/100 km petrol-hybrid economy
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping and blind-spot assistance
- 455-litre boot with 40:20:40 rear-seat split
- 70 hp and 75 Nm down on the WRX
- Rear-wheel drive versus the WRX's all-wheel drive
- Costs RM6,643 more with a shorter two-year manufacturer warranty
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm turbo boxer engine
- All-wheel drive and six-speed manual
- Five-year, 100,000-km manufacturer warranty
- RM767 annual road tax versus RM90 for the C-Class
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot system
- Smaller 411-litre boot and no rear air vents
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM292,888 | RM286,245✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,496 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,800 rpm | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 78 mm × 78.3 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 20 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 200 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 9G-TRONIC | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 6.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 246 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 151 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,751 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,820 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,437 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,650 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 455 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Agility Control Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | 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 Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar | 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 | 4 Front USB-C | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades | — |
| Audio | 11.4" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers | 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 | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 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 C-Class & WRX for sale
C-Class vs WRX FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Subaru WRX better?
The C-Class is better for daily comfort and assistance systems, with an automatic, rear vents, 455-litre boot and autonomous braking. The WRX is better if 271 hp, all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox matter more than those conveniences.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is RM6,643 more expensive than the Subaru WRX.
Which costs less to tax and has the longer warranty?
The C-Class has much lower annual road tax at RM90 versus RM767. The WRX has the longer manufacturer warranty: five years or 100,000 km, against two years for the C-Class.
