Verdict
At RM609,000, the Porsche Cayenne costs RM330,000 more than the RM279,000 Subaru Outback, but brings 348 hp, 500 Nm and a 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time against 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. It also carries 772 litres of luggage versus 522 litres. The Outback is the more rational Malaysian buy, with RM878 annual road tax against RM1,632 and a five-year/100,000-km warranty. But its 1,875-mm width is far less demanding than the Cayenne’s 2,194 mm in tight parking spaces.
Pick the Porsche Cayenne if 348 hp, 500 Nm, adaptive air suspension and a 772-litre boot justify the RM330,000 outlay.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want all-wheel drive, lower RM878 annual road tax and a five-year warranty for RM279,000.
Key differences
- Price: Porsche Cayenne RM609,000; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Power and torque: Porsche Cayenne 348 hp and 500 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Porsche Cayenne 5.7 seconds; Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds.
- Width and wheelbase: Porsche Cayenne 2,194 mm and 2,895 mm; Subaru Outback 1,875 mm and 2,745 mm.
- Boot space: Porsche Cayenne 772 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Annual road tax and warranty: Porsche Cayenne RM1,632 and four years/100,000 km; Subaru Outback RM878 and five years/100,000 km.
Cayenne
- 348 hp and 500 Nm from the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6.
- 772-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear seat split.
- Adaptive air suspension, 21-inch wheels and auto parking.
- RM330,000 costlier to buy.
- RM1,632 annual road tax versus RM878.
- Four-year warranty is one year shorter.
Outback
- RM279,000 entry price and RM878 annual road tax.
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty.
- Sunroof, rear air-con vents and a space-saver spare tyre.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the Cayenne’s 348 hp and 500 Nm.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.9 seconds slower.
- 522-litre boot is 250 litres smaller, and there are no front parking sensors or auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM609,000 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,632 | RM878✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 2,995 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 348 hp at 5,300 rpm✓ | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 500 Nm at 1,340 rpm✓ | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 6 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 84 mm × 89 mm | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Tiptronic S | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Porsche | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 10.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 248 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,930 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 2,194 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,698 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,895 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,130 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 772 litres✓ | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 295/45R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/45R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus S1 evoZ | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 21" RS Spyder Design | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" RS Spyder Design | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Porsche Adaptive Air Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver and Front Passenger Knee, Front Side, Front 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 | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Two Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 14-way Power Adjustable with Memory Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding with Remote Release | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered sunshades for rear side windows | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Porsche Communication Manager with Porsche Connect Plus, Apple CarPlay, 14-speaker 710-watt Bose Surround 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 | Push Start 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 | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View System | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Yes | — |
| 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 | 4 years | 5 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 Cayenne & Outback for sale
Cayenne vs Outback FAQ
Is the Porsche Cayenne or Subaru Outback better?
The Cayenne is better for outright pace, cargo room and parking assistance, with 348 hp and a 772-litre boot. The Outback is the better-cost choice, retaining all-wheel drive while costing far less and carrying lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Porsche Cayenne costs RM330,000 more than the Subaru Outback. That gap also brings 163 hp more, 255 Nm more torque, a 3.9-second quicker 0-100 km/h time and 250 litres more boot space.
Which has the better warranty and lower running tax?
The Subaru Outback has the longer five-year/100,000-km warranty, compared with four years/100,000 km for the Cayenne. Its annual road tax is also RM878, RM754 lower than the Cayenne’s RM1,632.
