Verdict
The RM258,888 MINI Countryman is RM20,112 below the RM279,000 Subaru Outback, and it brings a 313 hp/494 Nm dual-motor AWD system, 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time and 432 km range from its 66.5-kWh battery. That suits a Malaysian buyer able to use its 22-kW AC or 130-kW DC charging. The Outback counters with 522 litres of boot space, seven airbags and a much longer 4,870-mm body, against 4,433 mm for the MINI. Its 2.5-litre petrol boxer makes 185 hp and takes 9.6 seconds to 100 km/h, so buy it for space rather than pace.
The Countryman JCW (RM389,888) sits above every Outback variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the MINI Countryman if you can charge at home or work and want 313 hp, 494 Nm and a 5.6-second sprint to 100 km/h.
Pick the Subaru Outback if 522 litres of boot space, seven airbags and a 4,870-mm wagon body matter more than outright acceleration.
Key differences
- Performance: MINI has 313 hp, 494 Nm and 5.6 sec 0-100 km/h; Subaru has 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 sec.
- Power source: MINI uses two motors, a 66.5-kWh battery and 432 km range; Subaru uses a 2,498-cc petrol boxer and a 63-litre tank.
- Size: MINI is 4,433 mm long with a 2,692-mm wheelbase; Subaru is 4,870 mm long with a 2,745-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: MINI has 460 litres; Subaru has 522 litres.
- Safety: MINI has six airbags; Subaru has seven airbags.
- Road tax: MINI is RM335 per year; Subaru is RM878 per year.
Countryman
- 313 hp and 494 Nm from two motors
- 432 km range with 22-kW AC and 130-kW DC charging
- 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display
- 460-litre boot is 62 litres smaller
- Six airbags versus the Subaru's seven
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
Outback
- 522-litre boot and 4,870-mm body
- Seven airbags and a space-saver spare tyre
- Sunroof and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 4.0 seconds behind the MINI
- RM878 annual road tax versus RM335
- No head-up display, navigation or auto parking
What the Countryman has over the Outback
What the Outback has over the Countryman
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Outback's wheelbase is 53 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the Outback: 522 litres against 460.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM258,888✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM878 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,645/mo✓ | RM2,850/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM6,979✓ | RM7,601 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,368 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.84 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM43,409 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 3.0 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 35 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 313 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 494 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 432 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,433 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,656 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R20 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | 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 Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 7 (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 belts | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat | 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 | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger, 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 | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System | 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 Flip Switch | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Tailgate, with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used Countryman & Outback for sale
Our reviews & guides
MINI Countryman
Countryman vs Outback FAQ
Is the MINI Countryman or Subaru Outback better?
The MINI Countryman is the stronger all-round choice for buyers with reliable charging, thanks to 313 hp, 432 km range and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the Subaru Outback for its 522-litre boot, seven airbags and larger body.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM20,112 more than the MINI Countryman: RM279,000 versus RM258,888.
Which is more practical for carrying luggage?
The Subaru Outback is more practical for luggage, with a 522-litre boot versus 460 litres in the MINI Countryman. It is also 437 mm longer and has a 53-mm longer wheelbase.
How long does charging take?
The Countryman's 66.5 kWh battery takes about 3.0 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 35 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 130 kW peak.
Which has the better warranty?
The Outback carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 2 years for the Countryman. Countryman: Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty.