Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Mercedes-Benz GLC is the quicker, more powerful choice: its 201 hp, 320 Nm 2.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol powertrain reaches 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds, against 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds for the Subaru Outback. It also brings a 620-litre boot and 2,888-mm wheelbase. But the Outback costs RM50,888 less, includes adaptive cruise control and a sunroof, while its annual road tax is RM878 to the GLC’s RM440. The GLC makes sense for performance and cabin space; the Subaru is the less costly long-distance package.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you want 201 hp, 320 Nm, a 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time and a larger 620-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want to spend RM50,888 less while getting adaptive cruise control, a sunroof and a five-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLC RM329,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz GLC 201 hp and 320 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz GLC 7.8 seconds; Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz GLC 620 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Wheelbase: Mercedes-Benz GLC 2,888 mm; Subaru Outback 2,745 mm.
- Annual road tax: Mercedes-Benz GLC RM440; Subaru Outback RM878.
GLC
- 201 hp and 320 Nm, with a 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 620-litre boot and 2,888-mm wheelbase.
- 360-degree camera, auto parking and six front plus six rear parking sensors.
- RM50,888 higher purchase price.
- Passive cruise control versus the Outback’s adaptive cruise control.
- No sunroof, while the Outback has a front tilt-and-slide unit.
Outback
- RM279,000 price and five-year/100,000-km warranty.
- Adaptive cruise control and a front tilt-and-slide sunroof.
- Space-saver spare tyre, where the GLC uses a tyre repair kit.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the GLC’s 201 hp and 320 Nm.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.8 seconds behind the GLC.
- 522-litre boot is 98 litres smaller than the GLC’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM329,888 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 320 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 23 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 9 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.8 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 221 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,716 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,640 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,888 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 62 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 620 litres✓ | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, 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 on outer two rear seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating | 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 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | 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 | — |
| 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 GLC & Outback for sale
GLC vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC or Subaru Outback better?
The GLC is better for outright performance, boot space and parking assistance, with 201 hp, 320 Nm and a 620-litre boot. The Outback is better if adaptive cruise control, a sunroof, a space-saver spare and lower purchase cost matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC costs RM329,888 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the GLC is RM50,888 more expensive.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The GLC has lower annual road tax at RM440, versus RM878 for the Outback. The Subaru’s 2,498 cc engine costs RM438 more per year in road tax than the GLC’s 1,999 cc powertrain.