Verdict
At RM279,000, the Subaru Outback costs RM10,000 less and brings all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and a 2.5-litre boxer petrol engine with 185 hp and 245 Nm. Its 4,870 mm wagon body is also 130 mm longer than the Harrier. The RM289,000 Toyota Harrier counters with hybrid assistance, a 118-hp/202-Nm motor, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, tyre-pressure monitoring and an eight-year unlimited-mileage hybrid-system warranty. For Malaysian families carrying bulky loads, the Subaru’s 126-litre boot advantage is decisive; the Harrier is the more equipment-led hybrid choice.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want all-wheel drive, 522 litres of luggage room and the lower RM279,000 entry price.
Pick the Toyota Harrier if you want hybrid assistance, rear cross-traffic alert with braking and unlimited-mileage cover for the hybrid battery, inverter and PCU.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Toyota Harrier RM289,000.
- Driveline: Subaru Outback all-wheel drive; Toyota Harrier front-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Subaru Outback 522 litres; Toyota Harrier 396 litres.
- Petrol engine output: Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; Toyota Harrier 175 hp and 221 Nm.
- Length: Subaru Outback 4,870 mm; Toyota Harrier 4,740 mm.
- Warranty mileage: Subaru Outback 100,000 km; Toyota Harrier unlimited mileage.
Outback
- RM10,000 lower price
- All-wheel drive
- 522-litre boot
- No hybrid motor
- 100,000-km manufacturer warranty limit
- No front parking sensors
Harrier
- Hybrid motor with 118 hp and 202 Nm
- Rear cross-traffic alert with braking and tyre-pressure monitoring
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus eight-year hybrid-system cover
- RM10,000 higher price
- Front-wheel drive
- 396-litre boot is 126 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM289,000 |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM830✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing and hybrid assistance (VVT-iE on intake, VVT-i on exhaust) |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ | 175 hp at 5,700 rpm |
| Torque | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm✓ | 221 Nm at 3,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 90 mm | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 118 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 202 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,740 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 1,695 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 396 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L 33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Braking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger | 12-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, Manual Recline |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Full-sized Moonroof with Electrochromic Function |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights, Cupholder Lights and Footwell Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 8" Display Audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Six speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access | Keyless Operation |
| 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 Boot | Powered with Kick Sensor |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Hybrid Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 Outback & Harrier for sale
Outback vs Harrier FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Toyota Harrier better?
The Outback is better for all-wheel drive and luggage capacity, with 522 litres versus 396 litres. The Harrier is better if hybrid assistance, rear cross-traffic alert with braking and unlimited-mileage warranty cover matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Harrier costs RM10,000 more: RM289,000 against the Subaru Outback’s RM279,000.
Which has the bigger boot, Subaru Outback or Toyota Harrier?
The Subaru Outback has the bigger boot at 522 litres, compared with 396 litres for the Toyota Harrier. That is a 126-litre advantage.
