Verdict
The Forester SL asks RM72,901 more, but brings the 2.5-litre Boxer’s 182 hp and 247 Nm against the SK’s 154 hp and 196 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h from 10.3 to 9.7 seconds. It also adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera. The SK remains the sensible lower-cost route: it has the same AWD layout, 63-litre tank and 2,670-mm wheelbase, while its 520-litre boot beats the SL’s 496 litres. Budget for RM438 versus RM838 annual road tax.
Pick the K if you want AWD Forester practicality with a larger 520-litre boot, full-size spare wheel and far lower upfront and annual costs.
Pick the L if you want the stronger 182-hp 2.5-litre powertrain and the substantial safety and convenience gains of adaptive cruise, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera.
Key differences
- Price: SK RM149,788; SL RM222,689.
- Power and torque: SK 154 hp and 196 Nm; SL 182 hp and 247 Nm.
- Performance: SK 0-100 km/h in 10.3 seconds and 193 km/h; SL 9.7 seconds and 205 km/h.
- Boot space and spare wheel: SK 520 litres with a 17-inch full-size spare; SL 496 litres with a space-saver spare.
- Safety assistance: SK has 7 airbags and no autonomous braking; SL has 8 airbags and autonomous braking.
- Road tax: SK RM438 per year; SL RM838 per year.
SK
- RM72,901 less to buy
- 520-litre boot
- 17-inch full-size spare wheel
- Slower 154-hp, 196-Nm 2.0-litre engine
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane steering correction
- Passive rather than adaptive cruise control
SL
- 182 hp and 247 Nm from its 2.5-litre engine
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and steering correction
- 11.6-inch touchscreen, powered boot and 360-degree camera
- RM72,901 higher purchase price
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM438
- 496-litre boot and space-saver spare wheel
What the SK has over the SL
What the SL has over the SK
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 | RM149,788✓ | RM222,689 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM438✓ | RM838 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,530/mo✓ | RM2,275/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM4,208✓ | RM6,137 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM3,025 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM15.12 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM38,352 | — |
| 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 | 154 hp at 6,000 rpm | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 196 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 84 mm × 90 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12.5 | — |
| 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 | 10.3 seconds | 9.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 176 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,625 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,815 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,730 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,532 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 496 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | 17" Full size | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental ContiMax MC5 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 17 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (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 Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 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 | Manual for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for outer two rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For Front Seats only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED combination | 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 | Manual reclining, 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone automatic climate control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear vents | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with 6 speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's side 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 and PIN Code Access | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| 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 | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | 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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SK vs SL FAQ
Is the Subaru Forester SK or Subaru Forester SL better?
The SL is better equipped and quicker, with 182 hp, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The SK is the better cost-led choice, retaining AWD, a larger 520-litre boot and a full-size spare wheel.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Forester SL costs RM72,901 more than the Subaru Forester SK: RM222,689 versus RM149,788. Its annual road tax is also RM400 higher, at RM838 rather than RM438.
Which Forester has more boot space?
The SK has more luggage room, at 520 litres versus 496 litres for the SL. It also carries a 17-inch full-size spare, while the SL uses a space-saver spare wheel.