Verdict
Just RM1,100 separates these two CBU C-segment SUVs, but they take sharply different routes. The Renault Koleos brings 171 hp, 226 Nm and a 542-litre boot, against the Subaru Crosstrek’s 154 hp, 196 Nm and 315 litres; that is the better fit for a family carrying luggage. Its 60-litre tank is slightly smaller than the Subaru’s 63 litres, and annual road tax is far higher at RM830 versus RM438. The Crosstrek counters with all-wheel drive, eight airbags and autonomous braking, while the Koleos is front-wheel drive with six airbags and no autonomous braking.
Pick the Renault Koleos if you need the much larger 542-litre boot, stronger 171 hp/226 Nm output and a five-year, 150,000-km warranty.
Pick the Subaru Crosstrek if you prioritise all-wheel drive, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and RM392 lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Renault Koleos RM191,888; Subaru Crosstrek RM190,788.
- Power and torque: Renault Koleos 171 hp and 226 Nm; Subaru Crosstrek 154 hp and 196 Nm.
- Driveline: Renault Koleos front-wheel drive; Subaru Crosstrek all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Renault Koleos 542 litres; Subaru Crosstrek 315 litres.
- Safety airbags: Renault Koleos 6; Subaru Crosstrek 8.
- Annual road tax: Renault Koleos RM830; Subaru Crosstrek RM438.
Koleos
- 542-litre boot is 227 litres larger.
- 171 hp and 226 Nm beat the Crosstrek’s outputs.
- Five-year, 150,000-km warranty.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Crosstrek’s all-wheel drive.
- Six airbags versus eight, with no autonomous braking or blind-spot monitoring.
- RM830 annual road tax is RM392 higher.
Crosstrek
- All-wheel drive.
- Eight airbags, autonomous braking and blind-spot monitoring.
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go, plus a 360-degree camera.
- 315-litre boot trails the Koleos by 227 litres.
- 154 hp and 196 Nm are lower than the Koleos’ 171 hp and 226 Nm.
- Five-year warranty is capped at 100,000 km, 50,000 km short of the Koleos.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM191,888 | RM190,788✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM438✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 1,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 171 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 154 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 226 Nm at 4,400 rpm✓ | 196 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 89 mm × 100 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | X-Tronic CVT | Lineartronic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 8.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,672 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,678 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,705 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 542 litres✓ | 315 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Nexen N Priz RH7 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| 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) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion) |
| 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 on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with one-touch operation | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (5 colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8.7" R-LINK 2 Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 3D sound by Arkamys, 8 speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down | 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| 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, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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.
Used Koleos & Crosstrek for sale
Koleos vs Crosstrek FAQ
Is the Renault Koleos or Subaru Crosstrek better?
The Crosstrek is better for active safety and all-wheel-drive traction, with eight airbags, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. Choose the Koleos for family carrying duties: it has 542 litres of boot space and stronger 171 hp, 226 Nm outputs.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Crosstrek is RM1,100 cheaper than the Renault Koleos. That small gap is outweighed by the annual road-tax difference: RM438 for the Subaru and RM830 for the Renault.
Which has the larger boot and longer warranty?
The Renault Koleos has the larger 542-litre boot, compared with 315 litres in the Subaru Crosstrek. Both have five-year cover, but the Koleos warranty runs to 150,000 km while the Crosstrek is limited to 100,000 km.
