Subaru BRZ vs Subaru Outback
Verdict
The Subaru BRZ is the cheaper, sharper brief at RM249,245: 234 hp, rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox and 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. The Subaru Outback costs RM280,390, so the RM31,145 gap buys a much bigger five-seat wagon with all-wheel drive, a CVT automatic, 522 litres of boot space and auto emergency braking. It is slower at 9.6 seconds, but easier to justify if one car must handle family duty, wet roads and luggage.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want the faster, lower, manual rear-drive car and can live with four seats and a 226-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need five seats, all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and auto emergency braking more than you need sports-car pace.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru BRZ RM249,245; Subaru Outback RM280,390
- Output: Subaru BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm
- Drivetrain: Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive with manual; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive with CVT automatic
- Performance: Subaru BRZ 0-100 km/h in 6.3 s and 226 km/h; Subaru Outback 9.6 s and 206 km/h
- Size and space: Subaru BRZ 4,265 mm long with 226 L boot; Subaru Outback 4,870 mm long with 522 L boot
- Safety kit: Subaru BRZ 7 airbags and no AEB; Subaru Outback 7 airbags and AEB
BRZ
- Quicker 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive
- Lower RM249,245 price
- Only four seats
- Small 226-litre boot
- No auto emergency braking
Outback
- Five-seat cabin
- 522-litre boot
- All-wheel drive and auto emergency braking
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher RM280,390 price
- Higher RM878 yearly road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 249,245✓ | RM 280,390 |
| Body type | Coupe | Wagon |
| Segment | Sports Car | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 234 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 250 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.5 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.3 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 226 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,265 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,775 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,310 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,575 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,289 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 226 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/40R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/40R18 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front 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 |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 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 |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two 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 | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 767✓ | RM 878 |
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.
BRZ vs Outback FAQ
Is the Subaru BRZ or Subaru Outback better?
The Subaru BRZ is better for driving: it is quicker, lighter in purpose and has rear-wheel drive with a manual. The Subaru Outback is better as a daily family car because it has five seats, all-wheel drive, more boot space and AEB.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback is RM31,145 more expensive than the Subaru BRZ. The extra money goes with the larger wagon body, five seats, all-wheel drive, CVT automatic, 522-litre boot and auto emergency braking.
Which is quicker, the Subaru BRZ or Subaru Outback?
The Subaru BRZ is clearly quicker. It does 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and reaches 226 km/h, while the Subaru Outback takes 9.6 seconds and tops out at 206 km/h.