Verdict
Just RM4,800 separates these two, but they answer Malaysian ownership rather differently. The BMW iX2’s twin motors produce 308 hp and 494 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h to 5.6 seconds, while its 64.7-kWh battery is rated for 417 km and accepts DC charging at up to 130 kW. The Subaru Outback is the physically larger car at 4,870 mm long with a 2,745-mm wheelbase, yet its 522-litre boot is only 3 litres behind. Pick the iX2 for EV running and sharp performance; the Outback for petrol flexibility, space and its five-year warranty.
Pick the BMW iX2 if rapid 5.6-second performance, a 417-km EV range and richer parking, display and audio equipment matter more than outright cabin footprint.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want a larger 4,870-mm petrol wagon with a 63-litre tank, sunroof and a five-year/100,000-km warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX2 RM283,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Powertrain and output: iX2 has two electric motors with 308 hp and 494 Nm; Outback has a 2.5-litre boxer petrol engine with 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: iX2 5.6 seconds; Outback 9.6 seconds.
- Range/refuelling hardware: iX2 has a 64.7-kWh battery, 417-km range and 130-kW DC charging; Outback has a 63-litre petrol tank.
- Size: iX2 is 4,554 mm long with a 2,692-mm wheelbase; Outback is 4,870 mm long with a 2,745-mm wheelbase.
- Warranty: iX2 has a two-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty plus an eight-year/160,000-km battery warranty; Outback has a five-year/100,000-km warranty.
iX2
- 308 hp and 494 Nm from two motors
- 417-km EV range; up to 130-kW DC charging
- 525-litre boot, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- RM4,800 dearer
- Shorter two-year vehicle warranty versus five years
- 316 mm shorter and 53 mm less wheelbase than the Outback
Outback
- Larger 4,870-mm wagon body and 2,745-mm wheelbase
- Five-year/100,000-km warranty
- Sunroof, front foglamps and space-saver spare tyre
- 0-100 km/h takes 9.6 seconds versus 5.6 seconds
- RM878 annual road tax versus RM335
- No navigation, head-up display or auto parking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM283,800 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | 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 | 308 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 494 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 64.7 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 417 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 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 | 5.6 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,554 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Style-873 M Bi-Colour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Style-873 M Bi-Colour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags | 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 for 2 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 | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | 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 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker, 464W 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | 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, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | No | — |
| 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 iX2 & Outback for sale
iX2 vs Outback FAQ
Is the BMW iX2 or Subaru Outback better?
The BMW iX2 is better for electric driving, performance and parking technology: 308 hp, 494 Nm and 5.6 seconds to 100 km/h. The Subaru Outback suits buyers needing a larger petrol wagon, a 63-litre tank and five-year warranty coverage.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX2 costs RM283,800 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the iX2 is RM4,800 more expensive.
Which has the better boot and longer warranty?
The iX2 has the marginally larger boot at 525 litres against 522 litres. The Outback has the longer vehicle warranty at five years/100,000 km; the iX2 vehicle warranty is two years with unlimited mileage, plus battery cover for eight years/160,000 km.