Verdict
The WRX is the enthusiast’s choice: its 271 hp and 375 Nm turbo 2.4-litre engine, six-speed manual and 1,510 kg kerb weight give it a very different brief from the Outback’s 185 hp, 245 Nm 2.5-litre CVT package. But Malaysian family buyers get more usable metal in the Outback: 522 litres of boot space, rear air vents and a 360-degree camera. Its autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control also make the wagon the more complete daily driver, despite the higher RM878 annual road tax versus RM767.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, 375 Nm and a six-speed manual in a lighter 1,510 kg all-wheel-drive sedan.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need a 522-litre boot, five doors and the added safety hardware of autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru WRX RM286,245; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Power and torque: Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Transmission: Subaru WRX six-speed manual; Subaru Outback Lineartronic CVT automatic.
- Kerb weight: Subaru WRX 1,510 kg; Subaru Outback 1,756 kg.
- Boot space: Subaru WRX 411 litres; Subaru Outback 522 litres.
- Length: Subaru WRX 4,669 mm; Subaru Outback 4,870 mm.
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm from a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine.
- Six-speed manual and all-wheel drive.
- 246 kg lighter than the Outback.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assistance.
- 411-litre boot is 111 litres smaller.
- No rear air vents or 360-degree camera.
Outback
- 522-litre boot and five-door wagon body.
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and steering-correction lane keeping.
- Power-adjustable front seats, rear air vents and 360-degree camera.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the WRX by 86 hp and 130 Nm.
- 1,756 kg kerb weight is 246 kg higher.
- CVT automatic only, versus the WRX’s six-speed manual.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM286,245 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM767✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 271 hp✓ | 185 hp |
| Torque | 375 Nm✓ | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed manual | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,669 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,826 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,672 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,510 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 411 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags | 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 for two rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| 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 Adjustment | 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, 3 Front USB | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's side 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 Entry | 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 | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 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 WRX & Outback for sale
WRX vs Outback FAQ
Is the Subaru WRX or Subaru Outback better?
The Outback is better for family use, with 522 litres of boot space, five doors and a fuller driver-assistance package. The WRX is better if performance and manual shifting matter, bringing 271 hp and 375 Nm against the Outback’s 185 hp and 245 Nm.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM7,245 more than the Subaru Outback.
Which has more luggage space, the Subaru WRX or Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, 111 litres more than the Subaru WRX’s 411 litres. Its five-door wagon body also gives it the more practical loading format.