Verdict
The Denza D9 is the more useful family car, with seven seats, a 3,110 mm wheelbase and 520 km of EV range from its 103.36 kWh battery. Its RM335 annual road tax is also far below the Subaru Outback’s RM878. But the Outback is RM20,000 cheaper at RM279,000, brings all-wheel drive and has the larger 522-litre boot, against 410 litres. Choose the D9 if six or seven occupants and charging access matter more than boot volume; the Outback suits five people carrying more luggage.
D9
Pick the Denza D9 if you need seven seats, a 520 km EV range and second-row captain’s chairs with ventilation, massage and ottoman support.
Outback
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want a RM279,000 five-seat wagon with all-wheel drive and a 522-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Denza D9 RM299,000; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Powertrain: Denza D9 has a 308 hp, 360 Nm electric motor; Subaru Outback has a 185 hp, 245 Nm 2.5-litre boxer petrol engine.
- Driven wheels: Denza D9 front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot space: Denza D9 has 7 seats and 410 litres; Subaru Outback has 5 seats and 522 litres.
- Size: Denza D9 is 5,250 mm long with a 3,110 mm wheelbase; Subaru Outback is 4,870 mm long with a 2,745 mm wheelbase.
- Annual road tax: Denza D9 RM335; Subaru Outback RM878.
D9
- Seven seats with second-row captain’s chairs, ventilation, massage and ottoman support.
- 103.36 kWh battery, 520 km range and 166 kW DC charging.
- Six-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty plus eight-year/150,000 km battery warranty.
- RM20,000 more expensive than the Subaru Outback.
- 410-litre boot is 112 litres smaller than the Outback’s.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
Outback
- All-wheel drive and a 2.5-litre boxer petrol engine.
- 522-litre boot is larger than the D9’s 410 litres.
- RM20,000 lower purchase price and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Five seats versus the D9’s seven.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the D9’s 308 hp and 360 Nm.
- RM878 annual road tax is RM543 higher than the D9’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM299,000 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 360 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 103.36 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 520 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 166 kW | — |
| V2L | 6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,250 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,920 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,110 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Frequency Selective variable dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Middle and Outer Third Row 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 Projectors | 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 with Ventilation | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | Second-row Captain Seats with Ventilation, Massaging and Ottoman Support, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row | 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 Single-pane Sunroof, Panoramic Rear Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 Wireless Chargers Rear, 4 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Dynaudio Sound System | 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 | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Rear Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Heated and Cooled Compartment, Second Row Tray Tables | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/150,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 D9 & Outback for sale
D9 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Denza D9 or Subaru Outback better?
The Denza D9 is better for carrying up to seven people and using EV charging, while the Subaru Outback is better for a five-seat load with its larger 522-litre boot and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Denza D9 costs RM299,000 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the D9 is RM20,000 more expensive.
Which has the longer warranty?
The Denza D9 has a six-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty and an eight-year/150,000 km battery warranty. The Subaru Outback has a five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
