Verdict
At RM269,888, the Maxus MIFA 9 costs RM9,112 less than the RM279,000 Subaru Outback, while its RM220 annual road tax is far below the Subaru’s RM878. Its 241 hp/350 Nm motor, 435 km EV range, seven seats and 1,010-litre boot make a strong case for large families who can use 11 kW AC or 120 kW DC charging. The Subaru counters with all-wheel drive, seven airbags and a smaller 4,870 mm footprint, but has five seats and 522 litres of boot space. The MIFA 9 is 400 mm longer and 125 mm wider, which matters in tight parking bays.
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if you need seven seats, a 1,010-litre boot and 435 km of electric range for less money.
Pick the Subaru Outback if all-wheel drive, seven airbags and a less bulky 4,870 mm body matter more than passenger and cargo capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Annual road tax: Maxus MIFA 9 RM220; Subaru Outback RM878.
- Power and torque: Maxus MIFA 9 241 hp and 350 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Seating: Maxus MIFA 9 seven seats; Subaru Outback five seats.
- Boot space: Maxus MIFA 9 1,010 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Width: Maxus MIFA 9 2,000 mm; Subaru Outback 1,875 mm.
MIFA 9
- Seven seats and a 1,010-litre boot.
- 435 km EV range with 11 kW AC and 120 kW DC charging.
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time of 9.2 seconds.
- Front-wheel drive instead of the Subaru’s all-wheel drive.
- Six airbags versus the Subaru’s seven.
- 2,000 mm width is 125 mm greater than the Subaru’s.
Outback
- All-wheel drive.
- Seven airbags, including a driver knee airbag.
- 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and paddle shifts.
- Five seats versus seven in the MIFA 9.
- 522-litre boot is 488 litres smaller.
- RM878 annual road tax versus RM220 for the MIFA 9.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM269,888✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | MPV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220✓ | 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 | 241 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 350 Nm | — |
| EV Range | 435 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 120 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 | 9.2 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,270 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 2,000 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,840 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,200 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 3,095 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 1,010 litres✓ | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Side and 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 |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three Point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger and outer two 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 | LED Headlights | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED Tail Lights | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Power Lumbar | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | Sliding and Folding Second Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 8-speaker 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 & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Powered Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 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 MIFA 9 & Outback for sale
MIFA 9 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Maxus MIFA 9 or Subaru Outback better?
The MIFA 9 is the better family carrier, with seven seats, a 1,010-litre boot and 435 km EV range. Choose the Outback if its all-wheel drive and seven airbags outweigh the MIFA 9’s extra two seats and larger cargo area.
What is the price difference?
The Maxus MIFA 9 is RM9,112 cheaper than the Subaru Outback. Its annual road tax is also RM658 lower: RM220 against RM878.
Can the Maxus MIFA 9 be charged quickly?
Yes. The MIFA 9 accepts AC charging at up to 11 kW and DC charging at up to 120 kW. Its single motor produces 241 hp and 350 Nm, and it has a claimed EV range of 435 km.
