Verdict
The Subaru Forester SL moves the game on mechanically: 2.5 litres versus 2.0 litres, 182 hp versus 148 hp, and 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds instead of 11.8. It is also roomier, with a 496-litre boot against 422 litres, and adds auto emergency braking plus an eighth airbag. But the Subaru Forester SJ Facelift still has all-wheel drive, the same five-year warranty and lower RM438 road tax. For many Malaysian used-SUV buyers, that cost difference matters as much as the extra shove.
Pick the Subaru Forester SJ Facelift if you want the lower-cost Forester with all-wheel drive, seven airbags and known 7.9 L/100 km fuel economy.
Pick the Subaru Forester SL if you want the quicker, larger Forester with auto emergency braking, more boot space and the stronger 2.5-litre engine.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester SJ Facelift RM122,288; Subaru Forester SL RM222,689
- Engine output: Subaru Forester SJ Facelift 148 hp/198 Nm; Subaru Forester SL 182 hp/247 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Subaru Forester SJ Facelift 11.8 seconds; Subaru Forester SL 9.7 seconds
- Boot space: Subaru Forester SJ Facelift 422 litres; Subaru Forester SL 496 litres
- Safety kit: Subaru Forester SJ Facelift 7 airbags/no AEB; Subaru Forester SL 8 airbags/AEB
- Road tax: Subaru Forester SJ Facelift RM438 a year; Subaru Forester SL RM838 a year
SJ Facelift
- Much lower purchase price
- Lower annual road tax
- All-wheel drive and CVT retained
- Slower 11.8-second century sprint
- Smaller 422-litre boot
- No auto emergency braking listed
SL
- Stronger 182 hp and 247 Nm output
- Quicker 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 496-litre boot
- Costs RM100,401 more
- Higher RM838 annual road tax
- No fuel economy figure listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM122,288✓ | RM222,689 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM438✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 148 hp | 182 hp✓ |
| Torque | 198 Nm | 247 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 84 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | Lineartronic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 11.8 seconds | 9.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 192 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 182 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,595 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,735 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,640 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,528 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 422 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | 17" Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental ContiMax MC5 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 outer two rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For Front Seats only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Dynamic LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way power adjustable driver and passenger seat | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | Manual reclining, 60:40 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 |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Kenwood Touchscreen with 6 speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless push start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless operation and PIN Code Access | Keyless Operation |
| 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 | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 3-year/60,000 km free service | — |
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 cars for sale
SJ Facelift vs SL FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester SJ Facelift or Subaru Forester SL better?
The Subaru Forester SL is better on performance, boot space and safety kit, with 182 hp, 496 litres and AEB. The Subaru Forester SJ Facelift is the sensible buy if purchase price and RM438 road tax matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester SL costs RM100,401 more than the Subaru Forester SJ Facelift, based on RM222,689 versus RM122,288.
Which one is cheaper to run on road tax?
The Subaru Forester SJ Facelift is cheaper, at RM438 a year. The Subaru Forester SL is RM838 a year, so its 2.5-litre engine costs RM400 more annually in road tax.
