Verdict
At RM249,245, the BRZ costs RM29,755 less and is the driver’s choice: 234 hp, 250 Nm, rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and 1,289 kg deliver a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time. The RM279,000 Outback is a very different proposition, trading pace for five doors, five seats, all-wheel drive and a 522-litre boot. Its 185 hp CVT takes 9.6 seconds to 100 km/h, but it adds autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. For Malaysian family duties, the Outback’s 4,870-mm body and 63-litre tank are far more useful.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than rear-seat access and luggage room.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need five doors, all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and active safety assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru BRZ RM249,245; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Performance: Subaru BRZ 234 hp, 250 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds; Subaru Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds.
- Driveline/transmission: Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive with six-speed manual; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive with Lineartronic CVT.
- Practicality: Subaru BRZ has 2 doors, 4 seats and a 226-litre boot; Subaru Outback has 5 doors, 5 seats and a 522-litre boot.
- Size and weight: Subaru BRZ is 4,265 mm long and 1,289 kg; Subaru Outback is 4,870 mm long and 1,756 kg.
- Fuel tank and road tax: Subaru BRZ has a 50-litre tank and RM767 annual road tax; Subaru Outback has a 63-litre tank and RM878 annual road tax.
BRZ
- 234 hp and 1,289 kg for a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.
- RM29,755 cheaper with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.
- Only 2 doors, 4 seats and a 226-litre boot versus the Outback’s 5 doors, 5 seats and 522 litres.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping steering correction.
- Manual front-seat adjustment and no rear air vents.
Outback
- Five doors, five seats and a 522-litre boot.
- All-wheel drive, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control.
- 360-degree camera, powered boot and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- 185 hp and 1,756 kg result in a slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Costs RM29,755 more and has RM111 higher annual road tax.
- CVT automatic lacks the BRZ’s six-speed manual and rear-wheel-drive layout.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM249,245✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | Coupe | Wagon |
| Segment | Sports Car | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM767✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 234 hp at 7,000 rpm✓ | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 86 mm | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.5 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.3 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 226 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,265 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,775 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,310 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,289 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 226 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/40R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/40R18 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and 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 |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 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 | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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 BRZ & Outback for sale
BRZ vs Outback FAQ
Is the Subaru BRZ or Subaru Outback better?
The BRZ is better for driving involvement, with 234 hp, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. The Outback is better for family use, adding five doors, five seats, all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and autonomous braking.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM29,755 more than the Subaru BRZ: RM279,000 against RM249,245. Its annual road tax is also RM111 higher, at RM878 versus RM767.
Which has more boot space, the Subaru BRZ or Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, 296 litres more than the Subaru BRZ’s 226 litres. The Outback also has five doors and a 60:40 split-folding rear seat.
