Verdict
The RM49,800 gap is substantial: the GWM Tank 500 costs RM328,800 against the Subaru Outback’s RM279,000, but brings seven seats, a 241 hp/380 Nm 2.0-litre turbo hybrid powertrain, 20-inch wheels and a 360-degree camera. Its 98-litre boot is tiny with all three rows in use, however. The Outback is the more practical five-seater for luggage, with 522 litres, and its annual road tax is RM878 versus RM439. Both are AWD and carry strong active-safety basics, so the decision comes down to passenger capacity and power against boot space and lower purchase price.
Pick the GWM Tank 500 if you need seven seats, 241 hp and 380 Nm, plus a 6-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want to spend RM49,800 less and need its 522-litre boot rather than a third row.
Key differences
- Price: GWM Tank 500 RM328,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Seating and boot space: GWM Tank 500 7 seats and 98 litres; Subaru Outback 5 seats and 522 litres.
- Engine output: GWM Tank 500 241 hp and 380 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Dimensions: GWM Tank 500 5,070 mm long and 1,905 mm tall; Subaru Outback 4,870 mm long and 1,682 mm tall.
- Road tax: GWM Tank 500 RM439 per year; Subaru Outback RM878 per year.
- Warranty: GWM Tank 500 6 years unlimited mileage plus 8 years/200,000 km for the high-voltage battery; Subaru Outback 5 years/100,000 km.
Tank 500
- Seven seats and 75-litre fuel tank.
- 241 hp, 380 Nm turbo hybrid with one 105 hp, 268 Nm motor.
- Ventilated, massaging front seats, head-up display and 360-degree camera.
- RM49,800 more expensive than the Subaru Outback.
- Only 98 litres of boot space, against the Outback’s 522 litres.
- At 5,070 mm long and 1,905 mm tall, it is larger than the 4,870 mm-long, 1,682 mm-tall Outback.
Outback
- RM279,000 price and 522-litre boot.
- Lower 1,756 kg kerb weight is specified.
- Powered tailgate, driver’s memory seat and PIN code access.
- Five seats versus the Tank 500’s seven.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the Tank 500’s 241 hp and 380 Nm.
- RM878 annual road tax is RM439 higher than the Tank 500’s RM439.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with hybrid assistance | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 241 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 380 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 105 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 268 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1.75 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Nine-speed Hydraulic Automatic Transmission | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 9 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,070 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,934 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,905 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 75 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 98 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/50R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/50R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full-size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental CrossContact RX | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | 7 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Second 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 | Projector LED Headlights | 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 Massaging Function and Seat Ventilation | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, 50:50 Split Power 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 | Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Manual | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000-km High Voltage 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 Tank 500 & Outback for sale
Tank 500 vs Outback FAQ
Is the GWM Tank 500 or Subaru Outback better?
The Tank 500 is better for carrying up to seven people and delivers 241 hp and 380 Nm. The Outback is better for a five-seat household needing luggage room: it has a 522-litre boot, costs RM49,800 less and is smaller outside.
What is the price difference?
The GWM Tank 500 is RM328,800 and the Subaru Outback is RM279,000, so the Tank 500 costs RM49,800 more.
Which has the bigger boot, the GWM Tank 500 or Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has the bigger boot at 522 litres. The GWM Tank 500 has 98 litres, reflecting its seven-seat layout.