Verdict
The Audi Q5 Sportback costs RM421,990 against the Subaru Outback’s RM279,000, and its 268 hp and 400 Nm give it a clear 83 hp and 155 Nm advantage. It also brings 20-inch wheels, Matrix LED headlamps, a head-up display and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen system. The Outback is the more rational Malaysian buy: its RM878 annual road tax is higher than the Audi’s RM434, but it has a 217 mm longer wheelbase, a marginally larger 522-litre boot and a five-year/100,000 km warranty. Both are petrol AWD five-seaters with adaptive cruise control and autonomous braking.
Pick the Audi Q5 Sportback if you want 268 hp, 400 Nm, a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and richer cabin technology despite the RM142,990 premium.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want the lower purchase price, a 2,745 mm wheelbase, 522-litre boot and five-year/100,000 km warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 Sportback RM421,990; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Output: Audi Q5 Sportback 268 hp and 400 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Wheelbase: Audi Q5 Sportback 2,528 mm; Subaru Outback 2,745 mm.
- Boot space: Audi Q5 Sportback 515 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Annual road tax: Audi Q5 Sportback RM434; Subaru Outback RM878.
- Warranty: Audi Q5 Sportback two years/unlimited mileage; Subaru Outback five years/100,000 km.
Q5 Sportback
- 268 hp and 400 Nm versus 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Matrix LED headlamps, OLED tail lights and head-up display.
- 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio, ventilated front seats and 40:20:40 rear seats.
- RM142,990 dearer to buy.
- Shorter 2,528 mm wheelbase and 515-litre boot.
- Two-year warranty versus five years for the Subaru.
Outback
- RM142,990 lower purchase price.
- Longer 2,745 mm wheelbase and 522-litre boot.
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty, plus a sunroof and front foglamps.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the Audi by 83 hp and 155 Nm.
- RM878 annual road tax is RM444 higher.
- No head-up display or navigation, and an 11-speaker system versus 16 speakers.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM421,990 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, supercharged with variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 268 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,641 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,528 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 515 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | S Sport Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear 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 | Matrix LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 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 | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Digital Key | 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 | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 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 Q5 Sportback & Outback for sale
Q5 Sportback vs Outback FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 Sportback or Subaru Outback better?
The Audi Q5 Sportback is better for outright output and high-spec cabin equipment, with 268 hp, 400 Nm, Matrix LEDs and a head-up display. The Subaru Outback is better for lower entry cost, a longer wheelbase, a slightly larger boot and longer warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q5 Sportback costs RM142,990 more than the Subaru Outback.
Which has the better warranty?
The Subaru Outback has the longer time-based warranty at five years, limited to 100,000 km. The Audi Q5 Sportback warranty lasts two years but has unlimited mileage.