Mazda 6 Grand Touring vs Subaru Outback
Verdict
Both are CBU petrol D-segment wagons with 185 hp, five seats, 522 litres of boot space and a five-year warranty, so this is not a simple equipment walkover. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring is the sharper buy on numbers: RM49,542 less, 8.2 seconds to 100 km/h, 218 km/h and 250 Nm. The Subaru Outback answers with all-wheel drive, seven airbags and a much taller 1,682 mm body, but it is slower at 9.6 seconds and 206 km/h. For Malaysia, the Mazda looks better value unless AWD is non-negotiable.
Pick the Mazda 6 Grand Touring if you want the lower price, quicker acceleration and the same 522-litre boot as the Subaru.
Pick the Subaru Outback if all-wheel drive, seven airbags and the taller wagon body matter more than outright pace or price.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda RM230,848; Subaru RM280,390
- Drive: Mazda front-wheel drive; Subaru all-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h: Mazda 8.2 s; Subaru 9.6 s
- Top speed: Mazda 218 km/h; Subaru 206 km/h
- Size: Mazda 4,800 x 1,840 x 1,480 mm; Subaru 4,870 x 1,875 x 1,682 mm
- Safety and boot: Mazda 6 airbags and 522 L; Subaru 7 airbags and 522 L
6 Grand Touring
- Costs RM49,542 less
- Quicker 8.2 s 0-100 km/h time
- Higher 250 Nm torque
- Front-wheel drive only
- One fewer airbag than the Subaru
- Slightly smaller 62-litre fuel tank
Outback
- All-wheel drive
- Seven airbags
- Larger 63-litre fuel tank
- Slower 9.6 s 0-100 km/h time
- Lower 206 km/h top speed
- Costs RM49,542 more
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 230,848✓ | RM 280,390 |
| Body type | Wagon | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 185 hp |
| Torque | 250 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 89 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.2 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 218 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,800 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,480 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,506 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 62 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable 8-way Driver's Seat with Memory, Power Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | 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 Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Front, tilt and slide | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 front | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 front, 2 rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | Touch-screen with radio, CD, MP3, AUX, USB and Bluetooth, 11 speakers | 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | 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 | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 868✓ | RM 878 |
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.
6 Grand Touring vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mazda 6 Grand Touring or Subaru Outback better?
For most buyers, the Mazda 6 Grand Touring is the better buy: it costs less, is quicker and has the same 522-litre boot. Choose the Subaru Outback if all-wheel drive and seven airbags are must-haves.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM49,542 more than the Mazda 6 Grand Touring, with prices at RM280,390 and RM230,848 respectively.
Which one is more practical?
Boot space is identical at 522 litres and both seat five. The Subaru Outback is larger outside; the Mazda 6 Grand Touring has a slightly longer 2,750 mm wheelbase versus 2,745 mm.