Verdict
The Forester is about 14% cheaper, the Forester has a 12% bigger boot, while the Forester is 12% more powerful. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
The GLA GLA250 4Matic AMG Line (RM295,888) sits above every Forester variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
What the GLA has over the Forester
What the Forester has over the GLA
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The GLA's wheelbase is 59 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the Forester: 496 litres against 435.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM258,888 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM838 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,645/mo | RM2,275/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM6,979 | RM6,137✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,229 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM11.14 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM46,538 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp at 5,500 rpm | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 1,620 rpm✓ | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 72.2 mm × 81.4 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 205 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,485 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact6 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | 17 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | 13 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 6 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 and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used GLA & Forester for sale
Our reviews & guides
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Subaru Forester
GLA vs Forester FAQ
Which one is locally assembled?
The GLA is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the Forester is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
Which has the better warranty?
The Forester carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 4 years for the GLA.
