Proton X90 or Subaru Forester? A Comparison to Save You Time on Research

In the Malaysian SUV market, many buyers compare the Proton X90 and Subaru Forester when choosing a car. These two cars are quite close in price and positioning. Today, we will make a detailed comparison from multiple aspects to help you save time on research.

Price and Versions

The OTR price of Proton X90 in Malaysia is RM 106,800 - 122,800, with 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.

The OTR price of Subaru Forester in Malaysia is RM 174,000 - 197,000, with 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.

Looking at the price, 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, please note that the cheaper price of a few thousand might involve trade-offs in equipment, it depends on your specific needs.

Power and Fuel Consumption

Proton X90 is equipped with 1.5L Turbo, 140 hp. Official fuel consumption 7.0 L/100km.

Subaru Forester is equipped with 2.0L 4-cyl, 170 hp. Official fuel consumption 8.0 L/100km.

In terms of power, Subaru Forester's 2.0L 4-cyl has 30 horsepower more than Proton X90's 1.5L Turbo. However, for daily city driving, both cars have enough power, you won't feel it is lacking.

Safety Features

Proton X90 safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP), active safety systems include ADAS (ACC, AEB, LKA, LDA, BSM, RCTA).

Subaru Forester 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 functionality. If you value active safety, you can compare the feature lists of both carefully.

Space and Comfort

Proton X90 body length 4400 mm, trunk 400 L.

Subaru Forester body length 4400 mm, trunk 400 L.

The dimensions of both cars are almost the same, interior space difference is not large. For this class of cars, daily use is completely sufficient.

Maintenance and Service

Proton X90 warranty 5 years/150,000km, maintenance interval every 10,000km or 6 months.

Subaru Forester warranty 3 years/100,000km, maintenance interval every 10,000km or 6 months.

Conclusion

Overall, Proton X90 and Subaru Forester are both very good car models in the Malaysian market. Which one to choose mainly depends on your personal needs and budget. It is recommended to do your research, compare quotes from several dealerships, and then go for a test drive to make a final decision. Buying a car is a big matter, spending some time on research is never wrong.