Verdict
The RM286,245 Subaru WRX is the keen-driver choice: its 271 hp boxer four, six-speed manual and 1,510 kg kerb weight put it 365 kg below the XC40. But the RM268,888 Volvo XC40 makes more sense for most Malaysian households. It has 390 Nm from 1,800 rpm, a 460-litre boot, five doors and a 2,702 mm wheelbase. Its 6.4-second 0-100 km/h claim, 7.7 L/100 km rating and City Safety braking add everyday substance, while the WRX answers with manual involvement and a larger 63-litre tank.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want a 271 hp all-wheel-drive sedan with a six-speed manual and 365 kg less mass.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you need the lower-priced, roomier five-door AWD option with 390 Nm, active safety assists and an automatic.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru WRX RM286,245; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Power and torque: Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm; Volvo XC40 263 hp and 390 Nm.
- Transmission: Subaru WRX six-speed manual; Volvo XC40 eight-speed Geartronic automatic.
- Kerb weight: Subaru WRX 1,510 kg; Volvo XC40 1,875 kg.
- Boot space: Subaru WRX 411 litres; Volvo XC40 460 litres.
- Fuel tank: Subaru WRX 63 litres; Volvo XC40 49 litres.
WRX
- 271 hp and six-speed manual
- 365 kg lighter than the XC40
- Larger 63-litre fuel tank
- Costs RM17,357 more
- Smaller 411-litre boot versus 460 litres
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
XC40
- 390 Nm from 1,800 rpm
- 460-litre boot and five-door SUV body
- City Safety braking, blind-spot monitoring and active cruise control
- 365 kg heavier
- 263 hp trails the WRX's 271 hp
- 49-litre tank is 14 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM286,245 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM767 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm✓ | 263 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 390 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 86 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed manual | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,669 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,826 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,672 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,510 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 411 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 split folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 3 Front USB | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's side 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 Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| 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 | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty |
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 WRX & XC40 for sale
WRX vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Subaru WRX or Volvo XC40 better?
The Volvo XC40 is the better all-rounder for family use, with a larger boot, automatic transmission, active safety systems and lower purchase price. Choose the Subaru WRX specifically for its six-speed manual, 271 hp output and much lower 1,510 kg kerb weight.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM17,357 more than the Volvo XC40.
Which has more safety equipment?
The Volvo XC40 has the stronger safety kit, adding blind-spot monitoring, City Safety autonomous braking with pedestrian, cyclist and large-animal detection, collision warning, steering correction and active cruise control. Both have seven airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control.
