Verdict
The Lexus RZ costs RM429,888 to the Subaru Outback’s RM279,000, a RM150,888 step that buys a 308 hp, 435 Nm dual-motor EV with a 440-km range and 5.3-second century sprint. The Outback answers with a 185 hp/245 Nm 2.5-litre boxer petrol engine, a 63-litre tank and 206 km/h top speed. Both are Japanese CBU five-seat AWDs with identical 522-litre boots and seven airbags. For Malaysian running costs, the RZ’s RM335 annual road tax undercuts the Outback’s RM878, while its 71.4-kWh battery accepts 11-kW AC and 150-kW DC charging.
The RZ RZ450e (RM429,888) sits above every Outback variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Lexus RZ if you want far stronger 308 hp EV performance, a 440-km electric range and the richer parking and cabin tech.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want to save RM150,888, retain AWD and carry a space-saver spare tyre plus a sunroof.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus RZ RM429,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Power and torque: Lexus RZ 308 hp and 435 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus RZ 5.3 seconds; Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds.
- Energy storage: Lexus RZ 71.4-kWh battery with 440-km range; Subaru Outback 63-litre petrol tank.
- Top speed: Lexus RZ 160 km/h; Subaru Outback 206 km/h.
- Annual road tax: Lexus RZ RM335; Subaru Outback RM878.
RZ
- 308 hp, 435 Nm dual-motor AWD and a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 440-km EV range with 11-kW AC and 150-kW DC charging.
- Head-up display, auto parking and six front parking sensors.
- RM150,888 higher purchase price.
- 160 km/h top speed versus the Outback’s 206 km/h.
- No sunroof or front foglamps; the Outback has both.
Outback
- RM150,888 lower purchase price with AWD and the same 522-litre boot volume.
- 206 km/h top speed and a 63-litre petrol tank.
- Sunroof, front foglamps and a space-saver spare tyre.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus the RZ’s 5.3 seconds.
- No head-up display, navigation or auto parking; the RZ has all three.
- No front parking sensors versus the RZ’s six.
What the RZ has over the Outback
What the Outback has over the RZ
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The RZ's wheelbase is 105 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM429,888 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM878 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM4,390/mo | RM2,850/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM11,425 | RM7,601✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,442 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM7.21 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM66,009 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 6.5 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 35 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 435 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 71.4 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 440 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 150 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.3 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,805 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,125 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Aluminium in Black and Bright Machined Finish | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Aluminium in Black and Bright Machined Finish | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack And Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (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 | Bi-LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way 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 Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 3 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| 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 | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium 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 (with Smart Card Key) | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| 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 | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on EV 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used RZ & Outback for sale
Our reviews & guides
RZ vs Outback FAQ
Is the Lexus RZ or Subaru Outback better?
The Lexus RZ is better for electric driving, acceleration and parking technology, with 308 hp and a 5.3-second sprint. The Subaru Outback is the better buy if a lower entry cost, petrol refuelling, sunroof and 206 km/h top speed matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RZ costs RM150,888 more than the Subaru Outback.
Which is quicker and better equipped for parking?
The Lexus RZ is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds against the Outback’s 9.6 seconds. It also has six front and six rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera and auto parking; the Outback has four rear sensors and a 360-degree camera.
How long does charging take?
The RZ's 71.4 kWh battery takes about 6.5 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 35 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 150 kW peak.