Verdict
These are radically different tools. The RM435,000 Vito Tourer costs RM148,755 more, but brings 10 seats, a 3,430 mm wheelbase, rear air-conditioning and active safety kit including Active Brake Assist, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. The RM286,245 WRX is the more focused five-seat choice: its 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and 1,510 kg kerb weight contrast sharply with the Vito’s 208 hp, rear-wheel drive and 3,100 kg figure. For Malaysian families or passenger transport, the Mercedes-Benz makes sense; for a driver carrying five, take the Subaru.
The Vito Tourer Select 121 (RM435,000) sits above every WRX variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer if you need 10 seats, rear climate control and a far broader active-safety package.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual for RM148,755 less.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer RM435,000; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Seating: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 10 seats; Subaru WRX 5 seats.
- Output: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 208 hp and 350 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline and gearbox: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer rear-wheel drive with 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive with 6-speed manual.
- Size and weight: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer 5,370 mm long and 3,100 kg; Subaru WRX 4,669 mm long and 1,510 kg.
- Safety equipment: Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer has 6 airbags plus Active Brake Assist; Subaru WRX has 7 airbags and no autonomous braking system listed.
Vito Tourer
- 10-seat cabin with sliding and folding rear seating
- Active Brake Assist, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist
- Rear automatic air-conditioning and 6 front plus 6 rear parking sensors
- RM148,755 dearer
- 208 hp and 350 Nm trail the WRX’s 271 hp and 375 Nm
- 3,100 kg versus the WRX’s 1,510 kg
WRX
- 271 hp, 375 Nm and all-wheel drive
- Six-speed manual gearbox
- Five-year, 100,000-km warranty
- Only five seats versus 10
- No rear air-conditioning
- No Active Brake Assist, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist listed
What the Vito Tourer has over the WRX
What the WRX has over the Vito Tourer
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Vito Tourer's wheelbase is 758 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The Vito Tourer is 102 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM435,000 | RM286,245✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Sedan |
| Segment | Commercial | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM436✓ | RM767 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM4,440/mo | RM2,920/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM11,623 | RM7,789✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,500 rpm | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 350 Nm at 1,300 rpm | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 92 mm | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 9G-TRONIC | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 9 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,370 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,928 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,958 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,430 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 3,100 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 10 | 5 |
| Boot Space | — | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R17 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Econodrive | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 28 inch | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 18 inch | 16 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Spain (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-twin-spoke Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-twin-spoke Alloy | 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 | 10 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Rear Passenger Seats in 2nd and 3rd Row | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Attention Assist | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors 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, Heated | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, Captain Seats 3rd Row, Folding and Sliding 4th Row Bench | 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, 2 Rear | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen Audio 30 with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual Key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Foot-operated | Handbrake |
| 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. 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 Vito Tourer & WRX for sale
Our reviews & guides
Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer
Subaru WRX
Vito Tourer vs WRX FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer or Subaru WRX better?
The Vito Tourer is better for carrying people, with 10 seats, rear air-conditioning and active safety assistance. The WRX is better for a five-seat driver’s car, bringing 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer costs RM148,755 more than the Subaru WRX.
Which has more safety equipment?
The Vito Tourer has more driver-assistance hardware, including Active Brake Assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, collision warning and 12 parking sensors. The WRX counters with seven airbags to the Vito’s six, but has no autonomous braking system listed.
Which has the better warranty?
The WRX carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 2 years for the Vito Tourer.
