Verdict
At RM378,800, the BMW iX3 costs RM99,800 more than the RM279,000 Subaru Outback, but brings 463 hp, 645 Nm and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time against 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. Its 113.4-kWh battery claims 726 km and accepts up to 400 kW DC charging, while the Outback remains the simpler petrol choice with a 63-litre tank. Both are five-seat AWD imports with virtually identical boots: 520 versus 522 litres. The Subaru is RM113 costlier in annual road tax, yet has a five-year/100,000-km warranty against the BMW’s two-year unlimited-mileage cover.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you can charge an EV and want 726 km claimed range, 400 kW DC charging and much stronger 463 hp performance.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want to spend RM99,800 less, prefer petrol refuelling and value its longer five-year/100,000-km warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX3 RM378,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Power and torque: BMW iX3 has 463 hp and 645 Nm; Subaru Outback has 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX3 4.9 seconds; Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds.
- Energy storage: BMW iX3 has a 113.4-kWh battery and 726 km range; Subaru Outback has a 63-litre petrol tank.
- Charging: BMW iX3 supports 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC; Subaru Outback is petrol-powered.
- Warranty: BMW iX3 has two years with unlimited mileage; Subaru Outback has five years/100,000 km.
iX3
- 463 hp, 645 Nm and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- 726 km claimed range, 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC charging.
- Head-up display, 360-degree camera and remote-control parking assistant.
- RM99,800 dearer than the Outback.
- Two-year warranty is shorter than the Outback’s five years/100,000 km.
- 2,285 kg kerb weight is 529 kg heavier, and it has only a tyre repair kit.
Outback
- RM99,800 lower purchase price and a five-year/100,000-km warranty.
- 522-litre boot, one litre larger than the iX3’s.
- Space-saver spare tyre, front foglamps and paddle shifts.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the iX3’s 463 hp and 645 Nm.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 4.7 seconds slower than the iX3.
- No head-up display, navigation or front parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V 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 | 463 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 113.4 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 726 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.7 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 | 4.9 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, 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 | Electronic 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 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, 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 | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver 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 | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging | 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 (Comfort Access) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included; Drive Recorder and Remote Theft Recorder; Intelligent Personal Assistant | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | RM399,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package | — |
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 iX3 & Outback for sale
iX3 vs Outback FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or Subaru Outback better?
The BMW iX3 is better for EV driving, performance and driver-assistance equipment, with 726 km claimed range and 4.9-second acceleration. The Subaru Outback is the better fit if RM279,000 pricing, petrol refuelling and a five-year/100,000-km warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the iX3 is RM99,800 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot?
They are effectively tied: the Subaru Outback has a 522-litre boot, only two litres more than the BMW iX3’s 520 litres.