Verdict
At RM267,800, the BMW 3 Series is RM11,200 cheaper than the Subaru Outback yet brings 300 Nm, rear-wheel drive and a 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time, against 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds for the Subaru. It is also RM499 a year lighter on road tax. The Outback answers with all-wheel drive, a larger 522-litre boot, 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and a five-year/100,000 km warranty. Pick the BMW for the more energetic compact executive sedan; take the Subaru if wagon practicality and its extra driver-assistance hardware matter more.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the quicker 7.4-second sprint, 300 Nm torque and lower RM379 annual road tax in a rear-wheel-drive sedan.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, a 522-litre wagon boot, adaptive cruise control and five years of manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series 184 hp, 300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; Subaru Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Road tax: BMW 3 Series RM379 per year; Subaru Outback RM878 per year.
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series two years with unlimited mileage; Subaru Outback five years/100,000 km.
3 Series
- Quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time and stronger 300 Nm torque.
- RM499 lower annual road tax.
- 14.9-inch display, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio, head-up display and auto parking.
- 480-litre boot is 42 litres smaller than the Outback's.
- Rear-wheel drive lacks the Subaru's all-wheel drive.
- Two-year warranty is shorter than the Outback's five years/100,000 km.
Outback
- All-wheel drive and 522-litre wagon boot.
- Adaptive cruise control and 360-degree view monitor.
- Five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty, plus a powered boot and sunroof.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the BMW by 2.2 seconds.
- RM878 annual road tax is RM499 higher.
- No navigation, head-up display or auto-parking function.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 185 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 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 Proximity Lock/Unlock | 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 Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| 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 Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 3 Series & Outback for sale
3 Series vs Outback FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Subaru Outback better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for acceleration, torque and lower annual road tax. The Subaru Outback is better for all-wheel drive, cargo room, adaptive cruise control and warranty cover. Neither is a straight replacement for the other: one is a sedan, the other a wagon.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM11,200 more than the BMW 3 Series: RM279,000 versus RM267,800. It also carries RM878 annual road tax, compared with RM379 for the BMW.
Which has more practical luggage space?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, 42 litres more than the BMW 3 Series' 480 litres. Its five-door wagon body and 60:40 split-folding rear seats also differ from the BMW sedan's four-door layout and 40:20:40 rear split.