Verdict
The BMW X3 costs RM46,800 more at RM325,800, but brings 310 Nm from 1,500 rpm, an 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time and a 570-litre boot. Its RM439 annual road tax is also half the Subaru Outback’s RM878. The Outback is the more affordable RM279,000 choice, with seven airbags, a five-year/100,000 km warranty, sunroof and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio. For Malaysian buyers who prioritise punch and driver-assistance hardware, the X3 earns its premium; the Outback makes the stronger case for warranty cover and cabin kit.
Pick the BMW X3 if you want 310 Nm, quicker 8.5-second acceleration, a 570-litre boot and parking aids including auto parking.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want to spend RM46,800 less while gaining seven airbags, a sunroof and a five-year/100,000 km warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Torque: BMW X3 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm; Subaru Outback 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X3 8.5 seconds; Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW X3 570 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Warranty: BMW X3 two years/unlimited mileage; Subaru Outback five years/100,000 km.
- Airbags: BMW X3 six; Subaru Outback seven.
X3
- 310 Nm from 1,500 rpm and 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- 570-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear seat split
- Head-up display, auto parking and six front/rear parking sensors
- RM46,800 dearer
- Six airbags versus the Outback’s seven
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years/100,000 km
Outback
- RM46,800 lower purchase price
- Seven airbags and five-year/100,000 km warranty
- Sunroof, front foglamps and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- 245 Nm arrives at 3,400 rpm, against 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm
- No head-up display, auto parking or front parking sensors
What the X3 has over the Outback
What the Outback has over the X3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The X3's wheelbase is 120 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The X3 is 45 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the X3: 570 litres against 522.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM878 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,325/mo | RM2,850/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM8,784 | RM7,601✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp at 4,400 rpm✓ | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 7 (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 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 | LED Projector | 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 | 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 Wireless Charger, 2 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, 6 Speaker | 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 | — |
| 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 | 3 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used X3 & Outback for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW X3
X3 vs Outback FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or Subaru Outback better?
The BMW X3 is better for performance, boot capacity and parking technology, with 310 Nm, 8.5-second acceleration and a 570-litre boot. The Subaru Outback is better if warranty length, a seventh airbag and a lower RM279,000 entry price matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X3 costs RM325,800 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the X3 is RM46,800 more expensive.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BMW X3 has lower annual road tax at RM439, compared with RM878 for the Subaru Outback. That is a RM439 annual saving for the X3.
Which one is locally assembled?
The X3 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the Outback is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.