Verdict
At RM2,689 less, the Toyota bZ4X brings a 224-hp, 269-Nm electric motor, 525 km of EV range and 150 kW DC charging, while annual road tax is RM200 against the Forester’s RM838. Its 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.3 seconds quicker. The Subaru Forester counters with all-wheel drive and a 496-litre boot; the bZ4X is front-wheel drive, has 452 litres and a tyre repair kit. The choice turns on charging access and those extra 44 litres of luggage room.
Pick the Subaru Forester if all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot and a space-saver spare matter more than EV charging and outright acceleration.
Pick the Toyota bZ4X if you have charging access and want 525 km of EV range, a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time and RM200 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester RM222,689; Toyota bZ4X RM220,000.
- Annual road tax: Subaru Forester RM838; Toyota bZ4X RM200.
- Power and torque: Subaru Forester 182 hp and 247 Nm; Toyota bZ4X 224 hp and 269 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Subaru Forester 9.7 seconds; Toyota bZ4X 7.4 seconds.
- Driveline: Subaru Forester all-wheel drive; Toyota bZ4X front-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Subaru Forester 496 litres; Toyota bZ4X 452 litres.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode
- 496-litre boot and space-saver spare tyre
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
- 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time versus 7.4 seconds
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM200
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty versus five-year unlimited-mileage cover
bZ4X
- 224-hp, 269-Nm motor and 7.4-second sprint
- 73.1-kWh battery, 525 km range and 150 kW DC charging
- Front parking sensors, auto parking and panoramic glass roof
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive
- 452-litre boot versus 496 litres
- Tyre repair kit instead of a space-saver spare tyre
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM222,689 | RM220,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM838 | RM200✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm | — |
| Torque | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 224 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 269 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 73.1 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 525 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds | 7.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 205 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,655 mm | 4,690 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,860 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,650 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,643 kg | 2,020 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 496 litres✓ | 452 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | SI-Drive and X-Mode | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front Centre, 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 Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation & Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger | 1 Front, 2 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Panoramic Roof Shade |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 Forester & bZ4X for sale
Forester vs bZ4X FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester or Toyota bZ4X better?
The Toyota bZ4X is better for drivers with dependable charging access, thanks to its 525 km EV range, 7.4-second sprint and RM200 annual road tax. Choose the Subaru Forester for all-wheel drive, 44 litres more boot space and a space-saver spare.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester costs RM2,689 more than the Toyota bZ4X: RM222,689 versus RM220,000.
Which has the better warranty and charging capability?
The Toyota bZ4X has a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty, plus an eight-year unlimited-mileage battery, inverter and PCU warranty. It supports 22 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging; the petrol Forester has a five-year/100,000 km warranty.
