Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ costs RM4,112 less at RM274,888, yet its 268-hp, 335-Nm rear motor cuts 0-100 km/h to 6.7 seconds against the Subaru Outback’s 9.6 seconds. Its 85-kWh battery claims 748 km of range and can accept 320 kW DC charging, though it will not work with 400V DC chargers. The Outback counters with all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot that is 117 litres larger, five doors and a useful space-saver spare. For Malaysian running costs, the CLA EQ’s RM260 annual road tax is RM618 lower than the Subaru’s RM878.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ if you want 748 km claimed EV range, 320 kW DC charging and much quicker 6.7-second performance for less money.
Pick the Subaru Outback if all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot, five-door wagon access and a space-saver spare matter more than EV pace and road-tax savings.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ RM274,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Powertrain: CLA EQ has one 268-hp, 335-Nm electric motor; Outback has a 2,498 cc 185-hp, 245-Nm boxer petrol engine.
- Performance: CLA EQ reaches 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds; Outback takes 9.6 seconds.
- Driveline: CLA EQ is rear-wheel drive; Outback is all-wheel drive.
- Cargo space: CLA EQ has a 405-litre boot; Outback has 522 litres.
- Annual road tax: CLA EQ RM260; Outback RM878.
CLA EQ
- RM4,112 lower purchase price and RM618 lower annual road tax.
- 268 hp, 335 Nm and a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 85-kWh battery, 748 km claimed range and 320 kW DC charging.
- 405-litre boot is 117 litres smaller than the Outback’s.
- Rear-wheel drive versus the Outback’s all-wheel drive.
- No spare tyre listed; the Outback gets a space-saver.
Outback
- All-wheel drive and a 522-litre boot.
- Five-door wagon body with a space-saver spare tyre.
- 10-way power driver’s seat with memory and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- RM4,112 dearer to buy and RM618 costlier in annual road tax.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the CLA EQ’s 6.7 seconds.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm fall short of the CLA EQ’s 268 hp and 335 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM274,888✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | MMA platform, 800V architecture; no 400V DC charger compatibility | 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 | 268 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 335 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 85 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 748 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 320 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Two-speed Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Two-speed Automatic | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 2 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.7 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,790 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,980 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 405 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtains, Driver Knee and Centre | 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 | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Evasive Steering Assist | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Traffic Sign Recognition, Curve Speed Reduction, Emergency Stop Assist, Parking AEB, Evasive Steering Assist. MB.Drive Assist (Level 2, adds lane centring and auto lane change) is a subscription: RM169/month (first month free), RM1,690/12 months or RM4,059/36 months incl. service tax | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED with Adaptive High Beam and Illuminated Star DRL | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED with Starry Motif | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Sports Seats, Artico Faux Leather with Dinamica Microfibre | 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 System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Heat-rejection Coating (no sunshade) | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | 64-colour Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | MBUX Superscreen: 10.25" Cluster + Twin 14" Touchscreens, MB.OS, 8 Speakers, Qi Wireless Charging | 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Distronic Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Hands-free Powered Boot Lid | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, with Park Assist | — |
| 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✓ |
| Warranty Notes | Battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km | — |
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 CLA EQ & Outback for sale
CLA EQ vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ or Subaru Outback better?
The CLA EQ is the better pick for lower purchase price, lower road tax, 748 km claimed EV range and stronger acceleration. Choose the Outback if all-wheel drive, a larger 522-litre boot and a five-door wagon body are the priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ costs RM274,888 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the CLA EQ is RM4,112 cheaper.
Which has the more practical boot?
The Subaru Outback does. Its 522-litre boot is 117 litres larger than the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ’s 405-litre compartment, and the Subaru also has a 60:40 split-fold rear seat plus a space-saver spare tyre.