Verdict
At RM299,000, the Denza D9 costs RM20,000 more than the RM279,000 Subaru Outback, but it brings seven seats, a 103.36-kWh battery with 520 km range and a 308-hp, 360-Nm electric motor. Its 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time is only 0.1 second ahead of the Outback’s 9.6 seconds. The Subaru counters with all-wheel drive, a larger 522-litre boot and a 63-litre petrol tank, while the D9’s annual road tax is far lower at RM335 versus RM878. For family carrying, the D9’s 3,110-mm wheelbase and captain seats matter more than the Outback’s wagon practicality.
Pick the Denza D9 if you need seven seats, electric driving with 520 km of claimed range and genuinely lavish second-row captain seats.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and petrol refuelling rather than charging.
Key differences
- Price: Denza D9 RM299,000; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Powertrain: Denza D9 308 hp/360 Nm electric motor; Subaru Outback 185 hp/245 Nm 2.5-litre petrol boxer engine.
- Drive: Denza D9 front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Seating: Denza D9 seven seats; Subaru Outback five seats.
- Boot space: Denza D9 410 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Road tax: Denza D9 RM335/year; Subaru Outback RM878/year.
D9
- Seven-seat cabin with second-row ventilated, massaging captain seats and ottomans.
- 103.36-kWh battery, 520 km range and 166-kW DC charging.
- Lower RM335 annual road tax and 6-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty.
- RM20,000 dearer than the Subaru Outback.
- 410-litre boot is 112 litres smaller than the Outback’s 522 litres.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
Outback
- All-wheel drive and 63-litre petrol tank.
- 522-litre boot is 112 litres larger than the D9’s.
- RM20,000 lower purchase price.
- Only five seats against the D9’s seven.
- RM878 annual road tax is RM543 higher than the D9’s.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the D9’s 308 hp and 360 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM299,000 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | MPV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 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 | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 360 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 103.36 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 520 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 166 kW | — |
| V2L | 6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| 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 |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Frequency Selective variable dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, 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 | 7 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Middle and Outer Third Row 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 Projectors | 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 Ventilation | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | Second-row Captain Seats with Ventilation, Massaging and Ottoman Support, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row | 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 Single-pane Sunroof, Panoramic Rear Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 Wireless Chargers Rear, 4 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Dynaudio 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 | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Rear Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Heated and Cooled Compartment, Second Row Tray Tables | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/150,000 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 D9 & Outback for sale
D9 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Denza D9 or Subaru Outback better?
The Denza D9 is better for seven occupants and EV running, with 520 km range, 308 hp and captain seats. The Subaru Outback suits buyers who prioritise all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
The Denza D9 costs RM299,000 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the D9 carries a RM20,000 premium.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Denza D9 has lower annual road tax at RM335, compared with RM878 for the Subaru Outback. The difference is RM543 per year.