Verdict
The MINI Countryman costs RM20,112 less at RM258,888, yet its twin-motor AWD electric drivetrain produces 313 hp and 494 Nm for a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h sprint. Its 66.5-kWh battery is rated for 432 km and accepts 22-kW AC or 130-kW DC charging, so it suits a Malaysian buyer able to plan charging. The Subaru Outback is the more practical long-distance petrol alternative: its 63-litre tank, 522-litre boot and 206 km/h top speed pair with a much larger 4,870-mm wagon body, but road tax is RM878 a year versus RM335.
Pick the MINI Countryman if you can charge regularly and want far stronger 313-hp EV performance, lower annual road tax and a more compact footprint.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need the larger 522-litre boot, petrol refuelling and a five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: MINI Countryman RM258,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Power and torque: MINI Countryman 313 hp/494 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp/245 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: MINI Countryman 5.6 seconds; Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds.
- Boot space: MINI Countryman 460 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Length: MINI Countryman 4,433 mm; Subaru Outback 4,870 mm.
- Annual road tax: MINI Countryman RM335; Subaru Outback RM878.
Countryman
- 313 hp and 494 Nm from two electric motors
- 432-km EV range with 22-kW AC and 130-kW DC charging
- 360-degree camera, auto parking and head-up display
- 460-litre boot trails the Outback's 522 litres
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Outback's five years
- 180 km/h top speed is below the Outback's 206 km/h
Outback
- 522-litre boot and 63-litre fuel tank
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty
- Driver knee airbag, front and rear curtain airbags, plus front foglamps
- Costs RM20,112 more than the Countryman
- RM878 annual road tax is RM543 higher
- 185 hp and 245 Nm result in a slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time
| 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 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 185 hp |
| Torque | — | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 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 | 4 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.
Used Countryman & Outback for sale
Countryman vs Outback FAQ
Is the MINI Countryman or Subaru Outback better?
The MINI Countryman is the better pick for charging-capable buyers wanting 313 hp, 494 Nm and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the Subaru Outback for its larger 522-litre boot, petrol powertrain and longer five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The MINI Countryman costs RM258,888 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the Outback is RM20,112 more expensive. The Countryman also has lower annual road tax: RM335 versus RM878.
Which has more luggage space?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, 62 litres more than the MINI Countryman’s 460 litres. It is also 437 mm longer, at 4,870 mm versus 4,433 mm.