Verdict
At RM290,888, the Mercedes-Benz GLB costs RM11,888 more, but its seven seats, 2,829 mm wheelbase and 9.3-second 0-100 km/h time suit buyers needing occasional third-row capacity without giving up pace. Its 130-litre boot is the catch. The RM279,000 Subaru Outback is the more useful five-seater with 522 litres of luggage room, all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control and lane steering correction. But its RM878 annual road tax is far steeper than the GLB’s RM100.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLB if you need seven seats, a quicker 9.3-second sprint and far lower annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want a 522-litre boot, all-wheel drive and more driver-assistance equipment for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLB RM290,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Seats: Mercedes-Benz GLB 7; Subaru Outback 5.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz GLB 130 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Driveline: Mercedes-Benz GLB front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Road tax per year: Mercedes-Benz GLB RM100; Subaru Outback RM878.
- Cruise control: Mercedes-Benz GLB passive; Subaru Outback adaptive.
GLB
- Seven-seat layout with a split-folding third row.
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time: 9.3 seconds versus 9.6 seconds.
- RM100 annual road tax and 270 Nm of torque.
- 130-litre boot is far smaller than the Outback’s 522 litres.
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- No lane-keeping assist, where the Outback has steering correction.
Outback
- 522-litre boot behind the rear seats.
- All-wheel drive and double-wishbone rear suspension.
- Adaptive cruise control, lane steering correction and a 360-degree camera.
- Five seats versus the GLB’s seven.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time of 9.6 seconds versus 9.3 seconds.
- RM878 annual road tax versus RM100.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM290,888 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger with 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 | 270 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 | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.3 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 207 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,634 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,663 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,829 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,555 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R18 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear 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 | 7 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row seats, two last row seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | 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 | 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 Driver Side Memory Settings | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 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 Rear USB-C 3rd Row | — |
| 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 Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 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 | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | 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 | 2 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 GLB & Outback for sale
GLB vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLB or Subaru Outback better?
The Outback is the better choice for luggage capacity, all-wheel drive and driver assistance, while the GLB wins if seven seats and low annual road tax matter more. The GLB is also marginally quicker to 100 km/h.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is RM11,888 more expensive than the Subaru Outback.
Which is better for carrying passengers and luggage?
The GLB carries seven people, but its boot holds only 130 litres. The Outback seats five and has a much larger 522-litre boot, so it is the better load carrier when all seats are occupied.