Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 costs RM15,800 more than the Subaru Outback, but its 282 hp, 400 Nm motor reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds against 9.6 seconds for the Outback’s 185 hp, 245 Nm 2.5-litre boxer. The i4 also cuts annual road tax from RM878 to RM305 and brings a 70.3-kWh battery rated for 500 km, with 180-kW DC charging. The Outback counters with all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and a five-year/100,000-km warranty. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge regularly, the BMW is the sharper pick; the Subaru suits those prioritising cargo and AWD.
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 282 hp, 400 Nm, a 6.0-second century sprint and RM305 annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru Outback if all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and five-year/100,000-km warranty matter more than outright acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Output and 0-100 km/h: BMW i4 282 hp/400 Nm and 6.0 seconds; Subaru Outback 185 hp/245 Nm and 9.6 seconds.
- Annual road tax: BMW i4 RM305; Subaru Outback RM878.
- Length, height and boot: BMW i4 4,783 mm, 1,448 mm and 470 litres; Subaru Outback 4,870 mm, 1,682 mm and 522 litres.
- Warranty: BMW i4 two years with unlimited mileage; Subaru Outback five years/100,000 km.
- Weight and wheelbase: BMW i4 2,075 kg and 2,856 mm; Subaru Outback 1,756 kg and 2,745 mm.
i4
- 282 hp and 400 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds.
- 500-km EV range and 180-kW DC charging.
- Head-up display, navigation and auto parking.
- RM15,800 dearer.
- 470-litre boot is 52 litres smaller.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
Outback
- All-wheel drive and 522-litre boot.
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- Sunroof and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- 0-100 km/h takes 9.6 seconds versus 6.0 seconds.
- Annual road tax is RM878 versus RM305.
- No navigation, head-up display or auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 185 hp |
| Torque | — | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 500 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | 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 | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| 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, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 i4 & Outback for sale
i4 vs Outback FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Subaru Outback better?
The BMW i4 is better for performance, EV range and lower annual road tax, with 282 hp, a 500-km range and RM305 road tax. Choose the Subaru Outback for all-wheel drive, its larger 522-litre boot and longer five-year/100,000-km warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM15,800 more than the Subaru Outback.
Which is quicker, the BMW i4 or Subaru Outback?
The BMW i4 is decisively quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The Subaru Outback takes 9.6 seconds.