Denza D9 vs Subaru Outback
Verdict
The Denza D9 costs RM299,000 against the Subaru Outback’s RM280,390, so the RM18,610 gap buys an electric seven-seat MPV with 308 hp, a 103.4 kWh battery and 520 km range. The Subaru answers as a petrol AWD wagon with a bigger 522-litre boot and a 206 km/h top speed. Performance is effectively level: 9.5 seconds versus 9.6 seconds to 100 km/h. For Malaysia, this is mainly a cabin-layout call: people-moving and EV road tax, or five-seat practicality with all-wheel drive.
Pick the Denza D9 if you need seven seats, want electric running and can use its 520 km range.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want AWD, a larger 522-litre boot and a lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Denza D9 RM299,000; Subaru Outback RM280,390
- Seating: Denza D9 7 seats; Subaru Outback 5 seats
- Powertrain: Denza D9 single-motor electric; Subaru Outback 2,498 cc petrol
- Power: Denza D9 308 hp; Subaru Outback 185 hp
- Boot space: Denza D9 410 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres
- Road tax: Denza D9 RM335/year; Subaru Outback RM878/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 299,000 | RM 280,390✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Single motor | 2,498 cc |
| Power | 308 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | — | 245 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 9.5 s✓ | 9.6 s |
| Top speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 103.4 kWh | — |
| EV range | 520 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,250 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,920 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,110 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Boot space | 410 L | 522 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | — | 63 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8✓ | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 6✓ | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 335✓ | RM 878 |
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.
D9
- Seven-seat cabin
- 520 km EV range from a 103.4 kWh battery
- Lower RM335 annual road tax
- Front-wheel drive only
- Smaller 410-litre boot
- RM18,610 dearer to buy
Outback
- All-wheel drive
- Larger 522-litre boot
- 206 km/h quoted top speed
- Five seats only
- Less power at 185 hp
- Higher RM878 annual road tax
D9 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Denza D9 or Subaru Outback better?
The Denza D9 is better for seven-seat EV use. The Subaru Outback is better if you want AWD and a larger boot. Their 0-100 km/h times are almost identical at 9.5 and 9.6 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The Denza D9 is RM18,610 more expensive, at RM299,000 versus RM280,390 for the Subaru Outback.
Which one is more practical for family use?
For carrying people, the Denza D9 wins with seven seats. For luggage with five on board, the Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres versus 410 litres.