Verdict
The RM9,112-cheaper Maxus MIFA 9 makes the stronger family-space case: it seats seven, carries 1,010 litres in the boot and has a 3,200 mm wheelbase, against the Subaru Outback’s five seats, 522 litres and 2,745 mm. Its 241 hp, 350 Nm electric motor also reaches 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds, 0.4 seconds ahead. The Outback counters with all-wheel drive, a 185 hp/245 Nm 2.5-litre boxer petrol engine and a 206 km/h top speed. For Malaysian annual costs, road tax is RM220 for the MIFA 9 versus RM878 for the Outback.
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if seven seats, a 1,010-litre boot, EV charging and RM658 lower annual road tax matter most.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, a 63-litre petrol tank and a smaller five-seat wagon footprint.
Key differences
- Price: Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Powertrain: MIFA 9 has one 241 hp/350 Nm electric motor; Outback has a 2.5-litre 185 hp/245 Nm petrol boxer engine.
- Driveline: MIFA 9 front-wheel drive; Outback all-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot space: MIFA 9 seven seats and 1,010 litres; Outback five seats and 522 litres.
- Dimensions: MIFA 9 is 5,270 mm long with a 3,200 mm wheelbase; Outback is 4,870 mm long with a 2,745 mm wheelbase.
- Road tax and acceleration: MIFA 9 RM220/year and 0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds; Outback RM878/year and 9.6 seconds.
MIFA 9
- Seven seats and a 1,010-litre boot.
- 435 km EV range with 11 kW AC and 120 kW DC charging.
- Powered sliding doors and a 360-degree camera.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Outback’s all-wheel drive.
- No front foglamps, while the Outback gets them.
- Heavier at 3,095 kg versus 1,756 kg.
Outback
- All-wheel drive with a 206 km/h top speed.
- 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
- Front foglamps, four rear parking sensors and paddle shifts.
- RM9,112 dearer to buy and RM658 more per year in road tax.
- Only five seats and 522 litres of boot space versus seven seats and 1,010 litres.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 9.6 seconds versus 9.2 seconds.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM269,888✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | MPV | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220✓ | 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 | 241 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 350 Nm | — |
| EV Range | 435 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 120 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 | 9.2 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,270 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 2,000 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,840 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,200 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 3,095 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 1,010 litres✓ | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and 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 |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three Point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger and outer two 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 | LED Headlights | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED Tail Lights | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Power Lumbar | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | Sliding and Folding Second Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 8-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 & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Powered Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | 200,000 km | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Extended | 8 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 MIFA 9 & Outback for sale
MIFA 9 vs Outback FAQ
Is the Maxus MIFA 9 or Subaru Outback better?
The MIFA 9 is better for carrying people and luggage, with seven seats and 1,010 litres of boot space. The Outback is the better choice if all-wheel drive and a petrol 2.5-litre boxer engine are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Maxus MIFA 9 costs RM269,888 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the Outback is RM9,112 more expensive.
Which one has lower annual road tax?
The Maxus MIFA 9 has lower annual road tax at RM220, compared with RM878 for the Subaru Outback. That is a RM658 yearly difference.