Verdict
The SJ is about 23% cheaper, the SL is 19% more powerful, while the SL has a 15% bigger boot. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
What the SJ has over the SL
Front FoglampsSunroof
What the SL has over the SJ
Airbag Disable FunctionBlind Spot Info SystemAutonomous Braking SystemLane-keeping AssistCollision WarningSeatbelt ReminderLED Daytime Running LightsRear Air-conParking Sensor RearBoot OperationInstrument ClusterParking Brake
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Boot space favours the SL: 496 litres against 422.
SJ 4,595 × 1,795 × 1,735 mm · wheelbase 2,640 mmSL 4,655 × 1,830 × 1,730 mm · wheelbase 2,670 mm
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM170,988✓ | RM222,689 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM438✓ | RM838 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,745/mo✓ | RM2,275/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,759✓ | RM6,137 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM3,144 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM15.72 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM41,705 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,995 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 148 hp at 6,200 rpm | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 198 Nm at 4,200 rpm | 247 Nm at 3,700 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 | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 11.8 seconds | 9.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 192 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 182 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,595 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,735 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,640 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,495 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 422 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 17 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | 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) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Both 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 | Xenon reflector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Normal bulb | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way power adjustable driver and passenger seat | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 one-touch split folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone automatic climate control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Power sliding, tilt-adjustable | — |
| Power Sockets | Centre tray, centre console box, boot | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map, room | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | Two front, two in rear armrest | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 2-DIN audio, CD, AUX with 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 | Keyless push start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | — | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Backlit 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.
