In the SUV market in Malaysia, many buyers compare Proton X90 and Subaru Forester when choosing a car. The price and positioning of these two cars are quite close. Today, we will make a detailed comparison from multiple aspects to save you time on research.
Proton X90's OTR price in Malaysia is RM 106,800 - 122,800. There are a total of 4 versions, including 2026 1.5T Prime X (RM 122,800), 2026 1.5T Prime (RM 116,800), 2026 1.5T Lite (RM 106,800), etc.
Subaru Forester's OTR price in Malaysia is RM 174,000 - 197,000. There are a total of 3 versions, including 2024 2.0L S EyeSight GT Edition (RM 189,538), 2024 2.0L S EyeSight (RM 177,538), 2024 2.0L L EyeSight (RM 167,538), etc.
From a price perspective, the starting price of Proton X90 is indeed RM 67,200 cheaper than Subaru Forester. If your budget is limited, Proton's entry-level version can already meet daily needs. However, also note that the thousands saved might involve trade-offs in features, depending on your specific needs.
Proton X90 is equipped with a 1.5L Turbo engine, with 140 hp. Official fuel consumption is 7.0 L/100km.
Subaru Forester is equipped with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine, with 170 hp. Official fuel consumption is 8.0 L/100km.
In terms of power, the 2.0L 4-cyl of Subaru Forester has 30 more horsepower than the 1.5L Turbo of Proton X90. However, for daily driving in the city, the power of both cars is sufficient, you won't feel lacking power.
Proton X90's safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP). Active safety system includes ADAS (ACC, AEB, LKA, LDA, BSM, RCTA).
Subaru Forester's safety rating is 5★ (Euro NCAP). Active safety system includes EyeSight.
Regarding safety features, both cars have received good ratings. However, Proton X90's ADAS (ACC, AEB, LKA, LDA, BSM, RCTA) and Subaru Forester's EyeSight have some differences in functions. If you value active safety more, you can compare the function lists of both carefully.
Proton X90 adopts FWD drive type.
Subaru Forester adopts FWD drive type.
Both cars have the same drive type, both are FWD, daily driving experience won't differ much.
Overall, Proton X90 and Subaru Forester are both quite good models in the Malaysia market. Which one to choose ultimately depends on your personal needs and budget. We suggest doing your research, compare quotes from several dealerships, then go for a test drive to make a final decision. Buying a car is a big matter, spending some time on research will never be wrong.