Verdict
At RM168,800, the Omoda Jaecoo C9 undercuts the Subaru Outback by RM110,200 while bringing 257 hp and 400 Nm against 185 hp and 245 Nm. It is also the more practical choice for a Malaysian family on paper: its 660-litre boot is 138 litres larger, its wheelbase is 55 mm longer, and annual road tax is RM439 rather than RM878. The Outback answers with all-wheel drive, a 30 kg lower kerb weight and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon system, but its RM279,000 price asks a lot for less output and cargo room.
Pick the Omoda Jaecoo C9 if you want the far lower RM168,800 entry price, 257 hp/400 Nm performance and a 660-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru Outback if all-wheel drive, a 30 kg lighter kerb weight and its 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio matter more than price and boot capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Omoda Jaecoo C9 RM168,800; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Output: Omoda Jaecoo C9 257 hp and 400 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Driveline: Omoda Jaecoo C9 front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Omoda Jaecoo C9 660 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Annual road tax: Omoda Jaecoo C9 RM439; Subaru Outback RM878.
- Warranty: Omoda Jaecoo C9 seven years/150,000 km; Subaru Outback five years/100,000 km.
C9
- 257 hp and 400 Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
- 660-litre boot and 2,800 mm wheelbase.
- Seven-year/150,000 km warranty, plus a head-up display and 360-degree camera.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Outback's all-wheel drive.
- 30 kg heavier than the Outback.
- Eight-speaker sound system versus the Outback's 11-speaker Harman Kardon setup.
Outback
- All-wheel drive and a 1,756 kg kerb weight.
- 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
- Front foglamps, driver-seat memory and PIN code access.
- RM110,200 more expensive than the Omoda Jaecoo C9.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the C9's 257 hp and 400 Nm.
- 522-litre boot is 138 litres smaller, with a five-year/100,000 km warranty.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM168,800✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 257 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,775 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,671 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,786 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 660 litres✓ | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size Spare | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 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 and Driver's Knee Airbag | 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 on outer two 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 Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver & Front Passenger Powered Seats with Seat Ventilation | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear, 2 Wireless Chargers | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Shade | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Eight Speaker 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 | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 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.
Used C9 & Outback for sale
C9 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Omoda Jaecoo C9 or Subaru Outback better?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 is the stronger value and practicality choice, with 257 hp, 400 Nm, a 660-litre boot and RM439 annual road tax. Choose the Subaru Outback for all-wheel drive, lower weight and its 11-speaker Harman Kardon system.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM110,200 more than the Omoda Jaecoo C9: RM279,000 against RM168,800.
Which has more boot space?
The Omoda Jaecoo C9 has the larger boot at 660 litres, compared with 522 litres for the Subaru Outback. That is a 138-litre advantage with the rear seats up.