Verdict
The GAC M8 costs RM49,800 more, but it is the proper people-mover here: seven seats, a 3,070 mm wheelbase and power sliding doors suit larger families far better than the Outback’s five-seat layout. Its plug-in hybrid system also brings a 25.57 kWh battery, 106 km EV range and 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time. The Subaru Outback is the more compact choice at 4,870 mm long, with AWD and a much larger 522-litre boot against 280 litres. Pick based on seating needs, not just performance.
Pick the GAC M8 if you need seven seats, power sliding doors and up to 106 km of electric driving range.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want AWD, a 522-litre boot and a RM49,800 lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Seats: GAC M8 7; Subaru Outback 5.
- EV range: GAC M8 106 km from a 25.57 kWh battery; Subaru Outback has no EV range or traction battery.
- Driveline: GAC M8 front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: GAC M8 280 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- 0-100 km/h: GAC M8 8.8 seconds; Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds.
M8
- Seven seats with second-row captain’s chairs
- 106 km EV range and 25.57 kWh battery
- Power sliding doors and 360-degree camera
- RM49,800 more expensive
- 280-litre boot is 242 litres smaller
- Front-wheel drive rather than AWD
Outback
- RM49,800 lower price
- All-wheel drive
- 522-litre boot and space-saver spare tyre
- Five seats instead of seven
- No EV range or plug-in charging
- Slower 0-100 km/h time of 9.6 seconds
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Wagon |
| Segment | Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp✓ | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 179 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 25.57 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 106 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-DHT | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 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" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield) | 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 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 | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 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 | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) | — |
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 M8 & Outback for sale
M8 vs Outback FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or Subaru Outback better?
The GAC M8 is better for carrying up to seven people and for short electric journeys, with 106 km EV range. The Subaru Outback is better for buyers who prioritise AWD, a 522-litre boot and a lower RM279,000 price.
What is the price difference?
The GAC M8 costs RM328,800 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the M8 is RM49,800 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space, the GAC M8 or Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, versus 280 litres in the GAC M8. That is a 242-litre advantage for the Subaru.
