Verdict
The BMW X3 costs RM46,800 more at RM325,800, but its 310 Nm from 1,500 rpm, eight-speed automatic and 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time give it a clear performance edge over the Subaru Outback’s 245 Nm, CVT and 9.6 seconds. It also has a 570-litre boot and 2,865 mm wheelbase. The Outback counters with a lower RM279,000 entry price, five-year/100,000 km warranty and RM878 annual road tax versus RM439. For Malaysian buyers, the X3 is the quicker, more tech-laden choice; the Outback makes the stronger case on purchase price and warranty cover.
Pick the BMW X3 if you want 310 Nm, an eight-speed automatic, 570 litres of boot space and front parking sensors with auto parking.
Pick the Subaru Outback if saving RM46,800 upfront, getting a five-year/100,000 km warranty and having a sunroof matter more than quicker acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Performance: BMW X3 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds; Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds.
- Torque: BMW X3 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm; Subaru Outback 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm.
- Boot space: BMW X3 570 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Warranty: BMW X3 two years/unlimited mileage; Subaru Outback five years/100,000 km.
- Road tax: BMW X3 RM439 per year; Subaru Outback RM878 per year.
X3
- 310 Nm from 1,500 rpm and an 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 570-litre boot and 2,865 mm wheelbase.
- 360-degree camera, six front and six rear parking sensors, plus auto parking.
- Costs RM46,800 more.
- Two-year warranty is shorter than the Outback’s five-year/100,000 km cover.
- Six airbags versus the Outback’s seven, and no sunroof.
Outback
- RM279,000 price is RM46,800 below the X3.
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty.
- Seven airbags, front foglamps and a tilt-and-slide sunroof.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the X3’s 8.5 seconds.
- 245 Nm arrives at 3,400 rpm, versus 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm in the X3.
- 522-litre boot is 48 litres smaller, with no front parking sensors or auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp at 4,400 rpm✓ | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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.
Used X3 & Outback for sale
X3 vs Outback FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or Subaru Outback better?
The BMW X3 is better for performance and parking technology, with 310 Nm, 8.5-second acceleration, front sensors and auto parking. The Subaru Outback is better for a lower RM279,000 price, a five-year/100,000 km warranty, seven airbags and a sunroof.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X3 costs RM325,800 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the X3 is RM46,800 more expensive.
Which has the better warranty, BMW X3 or Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has the longer standard warranty: five years or 100,000 km. The BMW X3 has a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty, with a three-year unlimited-mileage extension listed.
