Verdict
For a Malaysian family needing seven seats, the GWM Tank 500 brings a 241 hp, 380 Nm hybrid-assisted 2.0-litre powertrain, but its quoted boot space is only 98 litres and it has six airbags. The five-seat Subaru Outback has 522 litres of boot space, seven airbags and a lower RM439 versus RM878 annual road tax bill for the Tank. Its 185 hp and 245 Nm 2.5-litre boxer engine is markedly less muscular, however. Choose by use: people-carrying and torque favour the Tank; luggage space and lower annual tax favour the Outback.
Pick the GWM Tank 500 if you need seven seats, 380 Nm from 1,700 rpm and a 1.75 kWh hybrid battery.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need a five-seat wagon with 522 litres of boot space, seven airbags and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: GWM Tank 500 RM328,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Power: GWM Tank 500 241 hp at 5,500 rpm; Subaru Outback 185 hp at 5,800 rpm.
- Torque: GWM Tank 500 380 Nm at 1,700 rpm; Subaru Outback 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm.
- Seats and boot space: GWM Tank 500 7 seats and 98 litres; Subaru Outback 5 seats and 522 litres.
- Annual road tax: GWM Tank 500 RM439; Subaru Outback RM878.
- Airbags: GWM Tank 500 6; Subaru Outback 7.
Tank 500
- Seven-seat cabin with 50:50 split power-folding third row
- 241 hp, 380 Nm hybrid-assisted 2.0-litre powertrain
- Ventilated, massaging front seats and 360-degree camera
- RM49,800 more expensive
- 98-litre boot is 424 litres smaller
- Six airbags versus the Outback's seven
Outback
- 522-litre boot space
- Seven airbags and a powered boot
- RM439 lower annual road tax
- Five seats instead of seven
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the Tank's 241 hp and 380 Nm
- Rear air-conditioning is limited to vents rather than a separate automatic zone
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with hybrid assistance | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 241 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 380 Nm at 1,700 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 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 105 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 268 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.75 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Nine-speed Hydraulic Automatic Transmission | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 9 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,070 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,934 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,905 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 98 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/50R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/50R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact RX | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 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 | 7 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Second 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 | Projector LED Headlights | 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 Massaging Function and Seat Ventilation | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, 50:50 Split Power 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 | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Manual | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000-km High Voltage 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 Tank 500 & Outback for sale
Tank 500 vs Outback FAQ
Is the GWM Tank 500 or Subaru Outback better?
The Tank 500 is better for seven occupants and stronger torque, with 380 Nm from 1,700 rpm. The Outback is better for a five-seat household carrying luggage, thanks to its 522-litre boot, seven airbags and lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The GWM Tank 500 costs RM49,800 more than the Subaru Outback: RM328,800 against RM279,000.
Which has more usable carrying capacity?
The Tank 500 carries seven people, but its quoted boot space is 98 litres. The Outback seats five and has a much larger 522-litre boot, so it is the clear choice when luggage space matters more than the third row.
