Verdict
The Subaru Forester SL is the clear new-generation choice if budget permits: its 2.5-litre boxer makes 182 hp and 247 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 11.8 to 9.7 seconds, while adding 74 litres of boot space and autonomous braking. It costs RM222,689 against RM122,288 for the CKD Subaru Forester SJ Facelift, a RM100,401 jump, and annual road tax rises from RM438 to RM838. For a Malaysian buyer watching purchase and running costs, the SJ Facelift remains the sensible route; the SL justifies itself through safety, space and stronger performance.
Pick the Subaru Forester SJ Facelift if RM100,401 saved, a full-size spare wheel and lower RM438 annual road tax matter more than newer safety systems.
Pick the Subaru Forester SL if you want 182 hp, 496 litres of boot space, adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Forester SJ Facelift RM122,288; Subaru Forester SL RM222,689.
- Engine output: SJ Facelift 2.0L, 148 hp and 198 Nm; SL 2.5L, 182 hp and 247 Nm.
- Performance: SJ Facelift 0-100 km/h in 11.8 seconds and 192 km/h; SL 9.7 seconds and 205 km/h.
- Size and boot: SJ Facelift is 4,595 mm long with 422 litres; SL is 4,655 mm with 496 litres.
- Safety: SJ Facelift has 7 airbags and no autonomous braking; SL has 8 airbags and autonomous braking.
- Wheels and spare: SJ Facelift gets 17-inch alloys and a full-size 17-inch spare; SL gets 18-inch alloys and a space-saver spare.
SJ Facelift
- RM100,401 lower purchase price
- RM400 lower annual road tax
- Full-size 17-inch spare wheel
- 148 hp and 198 Nm trail the SL's 182 hp and 247 Nm
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or collision warning
- 422-litre boot is 74 litres smaller
SL
- 182 hp, 247 Nm and a 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- 496-litre boot and rear air-con vents
- RM100,401 more expensive
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM438
- Space-saver spare and no front foglamps
| 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 at 6,200 rpm | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 198 Nm at 4,200 rpm | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 84 mm × 90 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 | 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 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.
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SJ Facelift vs SL FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester SJ Facelift or Subaru Forester SL better?
The Subaru Forester SL is better equipped and quicker, with 182 hp, eight airbags, autonomous braking and a 496-litre boot. The Subaru Forester SJ Facelift is the better buy when its far lower purchase price and RM438 annual road tax are decisive.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester SL costs RM100,401 more than the Subaru Forester SJ Facelift. It also carries RM400 more annual road tax, at RM838 versus RM438.
Which Forester has the stronger safety kit?
The Subaru Forester SL has the stronger safety kit: eight airbags, autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, steering correction and a 360-degree camera. The SJ Facelift has seven airbags, stability control and a reverse camera, but lacks those driver-assistance systems.
