Car Buyer's Guide

MINI 5 Door vs Subaru Outback

Subaru Outback

Subaru Outback

Verdict

These are very different five-door petrol cars despite the RM14,888 price gap. The MINI 5 Door costs RM293,888 and brings 201 hp, 300 Nm and a 6.8-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Outback’s 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. It is also far easier to place in town at 4,036 mm long. The RM279,000 Subaru Outback counters with all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and a 2,745 mm wheelbase; for Malaysian family trips, its extra 247 litres of luggage room matters more than outright pace.

5 Door

Pick the MINI 5 Door if you want the quicker 201 hp hatchback, 360-degree camera, head-up display and a much smaller 4,036 mm footprint.

Outback

Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot, powered front seats and the longer five-year warranty.

Key differences

  • Price: MINI 5 Door RM293,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
  • Performance: MINI 5 Door 201 hp, 300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds; Subaru Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds.
  • Driveline: MINI 5 Door front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
  • Size and boot: MINI 5 Door is 4,036 mm long with 275 litres; Subaru Outback is 4,870 mm long with 522 litres.
  • Fuel tank and road tax: MINI 5 Door 44 litres and RM379 yearly; Subaru Outback 63 litres and RM878 yearly.
  • Warranty: MINI 5 Door has two years with unlimited mileage; Subaru Outback has five years or 100,000 km.

5 Door

  • 201 hp and 300 Nm, with a 6.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
  • 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display.
  • Six USB-C ports, wireless charger and built-in navigation.
  • 275-litre boot is 247 litres smaller than the Outback’s 522 litres.
  • Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
  • Two-year standard warranty is shorter than the Outback’s five years.

Outback

  • All-wheel drive and 522 litres of boot space.
  • Powered front seats, rear air-con vents and a tilt-and-slide sunroof.
  • Five-year or 100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
  • 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the MINI’s 6.8 seconds.
  • RM878 annual road tax is RM499 higher than the MINI’s RM379.
  • At 4,870 mm long, it is 834 mm longer than the MINI 5 Door.
Price & overview
PriceRM293,888RM279,000
Body typeHatchbackWagon
SegmentB-SegmentD-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM379RM878
Powertrain
Engine Tech16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger, variable valve timingDirect Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine
Capacity1,998 cc2,498 cc
Horsepower201 hp185 hp
Torque300 Nm245 Nm
FuelPetrolPetrol
Bore82 mm94 mm
Compression Ratio12
Drivetrain
TransmissionDual-clutch Automatic (Wet)CVT Automatic
Transmission Name7-Speed Steptronic Dual Clutch Sports TransmissionLineartronic CVT
Gears7
Transmission ManufacturerSubaru
DrivelineFront Wheel DriveAll Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6.8 seconds9.6 seconds
Top Speed242 km/h206 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,036 mm4,870 mm
Width1,744 mm1,875 mm
Height1,464 mm1,682 mm
Wheelbase2,567 mm2,745 mm
Weight1,756 kg
Fuel Tank44 litres63 litres
Doors55
Seats55
Boot Space275 litres522 litres
Front Tyre215/40R18225/60R18
Rear Tyre215/40R18225.60R18
Spare TyreSpace Saver
Factory TyresVredestein UltraBridgestone Alenza H/L33
Chassis
AssemblyGermany (CBU)Japan (CBU)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-linkDouble Wishbones
Front Wheels18" Slide Spoke Alloys18" Alloy
Rear Wheels18" Slide Spoke Alloys18" Alloy
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist)
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Airbag Disable Function
Child Safety LockManual for Rear DoorsManual for rear doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point5 three-point
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger SeatAvailable for Two Rear Passenger Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYesYes
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderFor All SeatsAll Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsLED Projector with Auto High BeamLED Projector
TaillampsFull LEDLED Combination
LED Daytime Running Lights
Front Foglamps
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsManual Adjustable10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding60:40 Split-folding
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic ClimateDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conRear AC vents
SunroofFront, Tilt and Slide
Power Sockets1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear
Interior LightingMap Lights and Ambient LightsMap Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 1 Rear2 Front, 2 Rear
Sun ShadeSunroof Shade
Audio9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Flip SwitchKeyless Push Button
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation and PIN Code Access
Auto Start/Stop
Auto Headlamps
Auto Wipers
Cruise ControlActive Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control
Tiptronic
Paddle Shift
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Boot OperationRemote Control ActivationPowered Boot
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors4 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, with 360-degree View MonitorYes, 360-degree View Monitor
Auto ParkingYes
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Head-up Display
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorBacklit Analogue
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimited100,000 km
Warranty Mileage ExtendedUnlimited
Warranty Manufacturer2 years5 years
Warranty Extended4 years
Warranty NotesRepair Inclusive extendable up to 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.

5 Door vs Outback FAQ

Is the MINI 5 Door or Subaru Outback better?

The MINI 5 Door is better for brisk urban driving, with 201 hp, 300 Nm and a 6.8-second sprint to 100 km/h. The Outback is better for family carrying duties, adding all-wheel drive and a 522-litre boot.

What is the price difference?

The MINI 5 Door costs RM293,888, which is RM14,888 more than the Subaru Outback at RM279,000.

Which has the bigger boot, the MINI 5 Door or Subaru Outback?

The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, versus 275 litres in the MINI 5 Door. That is a 247-litre advantage for the Subaru.

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