Mazda 6 Sedan vs Subaru Outback
Verdict
The Mazda 6 Sedan asks far less money, and the RM100,031 gap is hard to ignore when both are CBU, petrol, five-seat D-segment choices with a five-year warranty. It is also cheaper to tax at RM379 a year and has a 5.7 L/100 km fuel economy figure. The Subaru Outback counters with a larger 2.5-litre engine, 185 hp, all-wheel drive, a bigger 522-litre boot and AEB. It is the more capable wagon, but you pay heavily for that extra hardware.
Pick the Mazda 6 Sedan if you want the lower purchase price, lower RM379 road tax and a longer 2,830 mm wheelbase in a conventional sedan.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, a wagon body and the larger 522-litre boot more than you need to save RM100,031.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 6 Sedan RM180,359; Subaru Outback RM280,390
- Engine output: Mazda 6 Sedan 163 hp/213 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp/245 Nm
- Drivetrain: Mazda 6 Sedan front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h: Mazda 6 Sedan 10.5 s; Subaru Outback 9.6 s
- Boot space: Mazda 6 Sedan 489 L; Subaru Outback 522 L
- Road tax: Mazda 6 Sedan RM379/year; Subaru Outback RM878/year
6 Sedan
- RM100,031 cheaper to buy
- Lower RM379 annual road tax
- Longer 2,830 mm wheelbase
- Less power at 163 hp and 213 Nm
- Front-wheel drive only
- No AEB listed
Outback
- All-wheel drive traction
- Larger 522-litre boot
- Quicker 9.6 s 0-100 km/h
- Costs RM280,390
- Higher RM878 annual road tax
- Shorter 2,745 mm wheelbase
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 180,359✓ | RM 280,390 |
| Body type | Sedan | 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 | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 163 hp | 185 hp✓ |
| Torque | 213 Nm | 245 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 83.5 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 10.5 seconds | 9.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,865 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,450 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,830 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,393 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 62 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 489 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R17 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R17 | 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 | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 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 Plus | — |
| 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | 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 |
| 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 | MZD Connect Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Radio, CD, MP3, AUX, USB and Bluetooth, 6 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 | Remote Control Activation | 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 | ✓ | — |
| 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 |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000-km Free Service | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | 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 Sedan vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mazda 6 Sedan or Subaru Outback better?
The Mazda 6 Sedan is the better buy for cost control. It is RM100,031 cheaper and has RM379 annual road tax. The Subaru Outback is better if you need all-wheel drive, AEB and the larger 522-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM280,390, while the Mazda 6 Sedan costs RM180,359. That makes the Subaru RM100,031 more expensive before factoring in its higher RM878 annual road tax.
Which one is quicker and more powerful?
The Subaru Outback is quicker and stronger, with 185 hp, 245 Nm and a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time. The Mazda 6 Sedan has 163 hp, 213 Nm and does 0-100 km/h in 10.5 seconds.