Verdict
The RM40,112 saving and RM120 annual road tax make the Lexus LBX the less costly route in, while its 4,190 mm length suits tighter Malaysian parking spaces. Its hybrid system pairs a 90 hp 1.5-litre engine with a 93 hp motor, yet it matches the Outback’s 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time. The Subaru Outback justifies its higher outlay with a far larger 522-litre boot, all-wheel drive and 185 hp from its 2.5-litre boxer engine. It is the better long-haul load carrier, but 680 mm longer.
Pick the Lexus LBX if you want the RM238,888 hybrid with lower RM120 road tax, a smaller footprint and 9.6-second acceleration.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and the greater overtaking reserve of 185 hp and 245 Nm.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LBX RM238,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Road tax per year: Lexus LBX RM120; Subaru Outback RM878.
- Powertrain: Lexus LBX 1.5-litre hybrid with 90 hp engine plus 93 hp motor; Subaru Outback 2.5-litre petrol boxer with 185 hp.
- Driveline: Lexus LBX front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Length and boot space: Lexus LBX 4,190 mm and 315 litres; Subaru Outback 4,870 mm and 522 litres.
- Top speed: Lexus LBX 170 km/h; Subaru Outback 206 km/h.
LBX
- RM40,112 less to buy and RM758 less annual road tax.
- Hybrid powertrain with a 93 hp motor and 8-year unlimited-mileage hybrid battery warranty.
- 680 mm shorter than the Outback, with front parking sensors and a full-LCD instrument display.
- 315-litre boot is 207 litres smaller than the Outback’s.
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- No sunroof, front foglamps, paddle shifts or 360-degree camera.
Outback
- 522-litre boot, 207 litres more than the LBX.
- All-wheel drive, 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- 11.6-inch touchscreen, 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio, sunroof and 360-degree view monitor.
- Costs RM40,112 more and annual road tax is RM878 versus RM120.
- At 4,870 mm long, it is 680 mm longer than the LBX.
- No front parking sensors or built-in navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | B-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 90 hp | 185 hp✓ |
| Torque | 120 Nm | 245 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 80.5 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 93 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag | 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 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 with nanoe Ioniser | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-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 Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active 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 | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery | — |
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 LBX & Outback for sale
LBX vs Outback FAQ
Is the Lexus LBX or Subaru Outback better?
The LBX is the sharper cost-conscious choice, at RM238,888 with RM120 annual road tax. Choose the Outback for all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and 185 hp, accepting its RM279,000 price and RM878 road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM40,112 more than the Lexus LBX: RM279,000 versus RM238,888.
Which has more luggage space, the Lexus LBX or Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, compared with 315 litres in the Lexus LBX. That is a 207-litre advantage for the Subaru.