Verdict
The U is the clear new-car choice if the RM44,988 gap fits the budget: its direct-injection 2.0-litre Boxer makes 154 hp against 148 hp, and it brings eight airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. It is also 30 mm longer and rides on 18-inch wheels, though boot space rises by only 5 litres. The P/GJ remains the rational used alternative for buyers who can live without those driver aids and want a full-size spare wheel rather than a space-saver.
Pick the P/GJ if a lower entry cost, CKD assembly and a full-size spare matter more than newer safety and convenience equipment.
Pick the U if you want eight airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
Key differences
- Price: P/GJ RM145,800; U RM190,788.
- Power: P/GJ 148 hp at 6,200 rpm; U 154 hp at 6,000 rpm.
- Airbags: P/GJ 3; U 8.
- Length and wheelbase: P/GJ 4,450 mm and 2,635 mm; U 4,480 mm and 2,670 mm.
- Wheels: P/GJ 17-inch alloys with 225/55R17 tyres; U 18-inch alloys with 225/55R18 tyres.
- Boot space and fuel tank: P/GJ 310 litres and 60 litres; U 315 litres and 63 litres.
GP/GJ
- CKD Malaysian assembly
- Full-size spare tyre
- Rated economy of 6.6 L/100 km
- Three airbags versus the U's eight
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping steering correction
- Halogen reflector headlamps versus LED projectors
GU
- Eight airbags and a broader active-safety suite
- 154 hp direct-injection Boxer engine
- Power front seats with driver memory, sunroof and 360-degree camera
- Space-saver spare versus the P/GJ's full-size spare
- 60-litre fuel tank is smaller than the P/GJ's 63-litre tank
What the GP/GJ has over the GU
What the GU has over the GP/GJ
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM145,800✓ | RM190,788 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM438 | RM438 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,490/mo✓ | RM1,950/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,104✓ | RM5,274 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,627 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM13.13 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM35,844 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with direct injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 1,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 148 hp at 6,200 rpm | 154 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 196 Nm at 4,200 rpm | 196 Nm at 4,000 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 | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.7 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 6.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 187 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 153 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,450 mm | 4,480 mm |
| Width | 1,780 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 1,575 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,635 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,430 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 310 litres | 315 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 16 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 12 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to Subaru Impreza with 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| ASEAN NCAP | 5 stars — With 3 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 3 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Passenger Seat Cushion) |
| 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 two rear passenger seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal bulb | 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 Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 split folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Room Lamp | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 2-DIN touch-screen with remote, DVD, USB, AUX, 6 speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All four windows, driver auto up and down with anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual key | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless operation | 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 | — | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
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GP/GJ vs GU FAQ
Is the Subaru Crosstrek GP/GJ or Subaru Crosstrek GU better?
The U is better equipped and safer on specification, with eight airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The P/GJ is the simpler choice, with three airbags, a full-size spare and CKD assembly.
What is the price difference?
The U costs RM44,988 more: RM190,788 versus RM145,800 for the P/GJ. That buys 6 hp more, five additional airbags, active safety systems, 18-inch wheels and more convenience equipment.
Do both Crosstreks have the same warranty?
Yes. Both have a five-year, 100,000-km manufacturer warranty. Both also use a 1,995 cc naturally aspirated Boxer four, Lineartronic CVT and all-wheel drive.