Verdict
At RM425,800, the BMW iX costs RM146,800 more than the Subaru Outback, but brings 402 hp, 700 Nm and a 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time against 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. Its 100.6-kWh battery, 602-km range and 175-kW DC charging suit buyers committed to EV use, while road tax is also lower at RM545 versus RM878 annually. The Outback counters with a 522-litre boot, 63-litre petrol tank and five-year manufacturer warranty. It is the more rational choice; the iX is for drivers wanting EV pace and substantially richer cabin and parking equipment.
Pick the BMW iX if you want 402 hp, 700 Nm, 602 km of EV range and 175-kW DC charging, and can justify the RM146,800 premium.
Pick the Subaru Outback if a lower purchase price, a 522-litre boot and a five-year manufacturer warranty matter more than outright acceleration and EV capability.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX RM425,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Performance: BMW iX 402 hp, 700 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds; Subaru Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds.
- Energy storage: BMW iX has a 100.6-kWh battery and 602-km range; Subaru Outback has a 63-litre petrol tank.
- Charging: BMW iX supports 22-kW AC and 175-kW DC charging; Subaru Outback has no charging capability.
- Boot space: BMW iX 500 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Warranty: BMW iX has a two-year manufacturer warranty; Subaru Outback has a five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
iX
- 402 hp and 700 Nm with 5.1-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- 100.6-kWh battery, 602-km range and 175-kW DC charging.
- Air suspension, 18-speaker Harman Kardon audio and 360-degree camera with auto parking.
- RM146,800 dearer to buy.
- 500-litre boot is 22 litres smaller.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Outback's five years.
Outback
- RM146,800 lower purchase price.
- 522-litre boot and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the iX's 402 hp and 700 Nm.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 4.5 seconds behind the iX.
- No front parking sensors, auto parking, head-up display or built-in navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM425,800 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545✓ | 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 | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 100.6 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 602 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 175 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.1 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,965 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,525 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R21 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R21 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero E | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger 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 | LED Projector with High Beam Assist | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lights | 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 Harman Kardon 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 | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | 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 |
| Convenience Notes | Intelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included | — |
| 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 iX & Outback for sale
iX vs Outback FAQ
Is the BMW iX or Subaru Outback better?
The BMW iX is better for performance, EV range and charging, with 402 hp, 602 km and 175-kW DC capability. The Subaru Outback is the better lower-cost practical buy, with a larger 522-litre boot and five-year manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX costs RM146,800 more than the Subaru Outback.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BMW iX has lower annual road tax at RM545, compared with RM878 for the Subaru Outback.