Verdict
At RM258,888, the Mercedes-Benz GLA undercuts the Subaru Outback’s RM279,000 by RM20,112 and cuts annual road tax from RM878 to RM100. Its 161 hp, 250 Nm 1.33-litre turbo also reaches 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds, 0.9 seconds ahead of the 185 hp Outback. But the Subaru is the proper long-haul load carrier: it is 460 mm longer, has 522 litres of boot space against 435 litres, a 63-litre tank and all-wheel drive. Choose the GLA for lower running bills and city-friendly dimensions; choose the Outback for space, traction and driver assistance.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if lower RM100 annual road tax, 5.6 L/100 km rated economy and quicker 8.7-second acceleration matter more than cargo room.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and adaptive cruise control with blind-spot monitoring.
Key differences
- Price and road tax: Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888 and RM100/year; Subaru Outback RM279,000 and RM878/year.
- Performance: Mercedes-Benz GLA 161 hp, 250 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds; Subaru Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds.
- Drivetrain: Mercedes-Benz GLA front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Size and boot: Mercedes-Benz GLA is 4,410 mm long with 435 litres; Subaru Outback is 4,870 mm long with 522 litres.
- Driver assistance: Mercedes-Benz GLA has pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking up to 105 km/h but no blind-spot system or lane-keeping assist; Subaru Outback…
- Warranty: Mercedes-Benz GLA gets four years with unlimited mileage; Subaru Outback gets five years or 100,000 km.
GLA
- RM20,112 lower purchase price and RM778 lower annual road tax.
- Quicker 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time and 5.6 L/100 km rated economy.
- 10.25-inch MBUX touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and 360-degree camera.
- Front-wheel drive, versus the Outback's all-wheel drive.
- 435-litre boot trails the Outback's 522 litres.
- No blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.
Outback
- All-wheel drive, 63-litre fuel tank and 522-litre boot.
- Blind-spot monitoring, steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- 11.6-inch touchscreen, 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio and tilt-and-slide sunroof.
- RM20,112 higher price and RM878 annual road tax, versus RM100 for the GLA.
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time despite its 185 hp output.
- No listed front parking sensors or navigation, where the GLA has six front sensors and navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM258,888✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | 185 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,485 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact6 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | 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, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 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 Button | 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 | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | 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✓ |
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 GLA & Outback for sale
GLA vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA or Subaru Outback better?
The GLA is better for lower upfront and annual tax costs, rated fuel economy and quicker acceleration. The Outback is better for a larger boot, all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and a longer time-based warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM20,112 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Its annual road tax is also RM778 higher: RM878 against RM100.
Which has more luggage space and a longer warranty?
The Outback has the larger 522-litre boot, 87 litres ahead of the GLA’s 435 litres. It also has a five-year/100,000-km warranty, while the GLA has four years with unlimited mileage.