Choose Toyota Corolla Cross or Subaru Forester? Analysis from Five Aspects to Help You

In the SUV market in Malaysia, many buyers compare Toyota Corolla Cross 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 doing research.

Price and Variants

The OTR price for Toyota Corolla Cross in Malaysia is RM 133,800 - 148,800, with 3 variants in total, including 2026 HEV 1.8L GR Sport (RM 148,800), 2026 HEV 1.8L Standard (RM 140,800), 2026 1.8L Standard (RM 133,800), etc.

The OTR price for Subaru Forester in Malaysia is RM 174,000 - 197,000, with 3 variants in total, 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 the price perspective, Toyota Corolla Cross is indeed RM 40,200 cheaper to start than Subaru Forester. If your budget is limited, Toyota's entry-level version is already sufficient for daily needs. But note that the few thousand ringgit cheaper might involve trade-offs in features, it depends on your specific needs.

Power and Fuel Consumption

Toyota Corolla Cross is equipped with a 1.5L Turbo, 140 hp. Official fuel consumption is 7.0 L/100km.

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

In terms of power, Subaru Forester's 2.0L 4-cyl has 30 more horsepower than Toyota Corolla Cross's 1.5L Turbo. However, for daily driving in the city, both cars have enough power and you won't feel underpowered.

Safety Features

Toyota Corolla Cross's safety rating is 5★ (ASEAN NCAP). Active safety systems include TSS (PCS, LDA, ACC, LTA).

Subaru Forester's safety rating is 5★ (Euro NCAP). Active safety systems include EyeSight.

In terms of safety features, both cars received good ratings. However, Toyota Corolla Cross's TSS (PCS, LDA, ACC, LTA) and Subaru Forester's EyeSight have some differences in functionality. If you value active safety, you can compare the feature lists of both carefully.

Features and Technology

Toyota Corolla Cross uses FWD drive mode.

Subaru Forester uses FWD drive mode.

Both cars use the same drive mode, both are FWD, there won't be much difference in daily driving feel.

Conclusion

Overall, Toyota Corolla Cross and Subaru Forester are both very good models in the Malaysian market. Which one to choose depends mainly on your personal needs and budget. We suggest doing your research, comparing quotes from a few dealerships, and then test driving to make the final decision. Buying a car is a big matter, spending time doing research will definitely not be a mistake.