Verdict
The Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, while the Volvo XC60 is RM328,888, leaving a RM49,888 gap. The Volvo answers with 246 hp, 350 Nm and a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Subaru’s 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. But the Outback gives Malaysian buyers a larger 522-litre boot, seven airbags and RM878 annual road tax. The XC60 is the more heavily equipped family SUV, with a 40:20:40 rear seat, integrated booster cushions and unlimited-mileage five-year warranty; the Outback makes more sense if carrying luggage matters more than outright pace.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want the RM49,888 saving, a 522-litre boot and seven airbags in a five-seat AWD wagon.
Pick the Volvo XC60 if you want 246 hp, 350 Nm, a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time and more rear-seat family features.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volvo XC60 RM328,888.
- Performance: Subaru Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds; Volvo XC60 246 hp, 350 Nm and 6.9 seconds.
- Boot space: Subaru Outback 522 litres; Volvo XC60 483 litres.
- Road tax: Subaru Outback RM878 per year; Volvo XC60 RM428 per year.
- Warranty mileage: Subaru Outback 100,000 km; Volvo XC60 unlimited mileage.
- Airbags: Subaru Outback seven; Volvo XC60 six.
Outback
- RM49,888 less expensive
- 522-litre boot is 39 litres larger
- Seven airbags and a 360-degree view monitor
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.9 seconds
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the Volvo’s 246 hp and 350 Nm
- Five-year warranty is capped at 100,000 km
XC60
- 246 hp, 350 Nm and 6.9-second 0-100 km/h performance
- 40:20:40 rear seat with integrated two-stage booster cushions
- Unlimited-mileage five-year warranty
- RM49,888 more expensive
- 483-litre boot is 39 litres smaller
- Six airbags versus the Subaru’s seven
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM328,888 |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm | 246 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 90 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 30 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 6.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,708 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,902 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 2,450 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 483 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | — |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloys |
| 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) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated 2-stage booster child seat cushions for the outer seats |
| 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 | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Powered Sunshade for Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio 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 Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Steering Assist |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| 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 Outback & XC60 for sale
Outback vs XC60 FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volvo XC60 better?
The XC60 is better for performance and rear-seat family equipment, with 246 hp, 350 Nm and integrated booster cushions. The Outback is better for lower purchase cost, a larger 522-litre boot and seven airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC60 costs RM49,888 more than the Subaru Outback: RM328,888 versus RM279,000.
Which has more luggage room?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, compared with 483 litres in the Volvo XC60. That is a 39-litre advantage for the Subaru.
