Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan vs Subaru Outback
Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan is the quick one by a huge margin: 302 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds play against the Subaru Outback’s 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. But the Subaru is the bigger car, with 522 litres of boot space, a 63-litre tank and a five-year warranty. For Malaysian buyers, the RM63,498 gap mainly buys speed, while the Outback gives more wagon practicality for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan if you want the much quicker AWD car and can use its 4.7-second 0-100 km/h pace.
Pick the Subaru Outback if boot space, a larger body and a five-year warranty matter more than outright acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan RM343,888; Subaru Outback RM280,390
- Power and torque: Mercedes 302 hp and 400 Nm; Subaru 185 hp and 245 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Mercedes 4.7 s and 250 km/h; Subaru 9.6 s and 206 km/h
- Size: Mercedes 4,549 mm long, 1,796 mm wide; Subaru 4,870 mm long, 1,875 mm wide
- Boot space and fuel tank: Mercedes 420 L and 51 L; Subaru 522 L and 63 L
- Warranty and road tax: Mercedes 4 years and RM376/year; Subaru 5 years and RM878/year
AMG A-Class Sedan
- Far stronger 302 hp and 400 Nm output
- Much quicker 4.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower RM376 annual road tax
- RM63,498 dearer
- Smaller 420-litre boot
- Shorter four-year warranty
Outback
- Larger 522-litre boot
- Longer five-year warranty
- Bigger 63-litre fuel tank
- Much slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower 185 hp and 245 Nm output
- Higher RM878 annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 343,888 | RM 280,390✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 302 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 14 hp | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | AMG Speedshift 8G DCT | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.7 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,549 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,796 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,411 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,570 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 51 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/35R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/35R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | 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 Outer Two Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-Speaker 710W 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 Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | 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 | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 376✓ | 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.
AMG A-Class Sedan vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan or Subaru Outback better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan is better for performance, with 302 hp and 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The Subaru Outback is better for space and warranty, with a 522-litre boot and five-year coverage.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class Sedan costs RM343,888, while the Subaru Outback costs RM280,390. That makes the Mercedes RM63,498 more expensive.
Which one is more practical for family use?
The Subaru Outback is more practical on paper. It is longer and wider, has a 522-litre boot versus 420 litres, and carries a 63-litre fuel tank versus 51 litres.