Verdict
The Outback is the more unusual D-segment choice: its 1,682 mm height, five-door wagon body, 60:40-folding rear seats and all-wheel drive suit buyers who need a more flexible load area and extra driven wheels. The Camry is 191 kg lighter, makes 201 hp against 185 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, 0.7 seconds ahead. Its 524-litre boot is also effectively level with the Subaru’s 522 litres despite the sedan body. The RM57,200 saving makes the Toyota the stronger road-car buy for most Malaysian owners.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, a 1,682 mm-tall wagon body and 60:40-folding rear seats.
Pick the Toyota Camry if you want the quicker 201 hp sedan and RM57,200 left in your pocket.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Toyota Camry RM221,800.
- Output and acceleration: Outback 185 hp and 9.6 seconds 0-100 km/h; Camry 201 hp and 8.9 seconds.
- Driveline: Outback all-wheel drive; Camry front-wheel drive.
- Body and rear-seat arrangement: Outback five-door wagon with 60:40 split-folding rear seats; Camry four-door sedan with fixed rear seats.
- Dimensions and mass: Outback 1,682 mm tall and 1,756 kg; Camry 1,445 mm tall and 1,565 kg.
- Warranty mileage: Outback five years/100,000 km; Camry five years/unlimited mileage.
Outback
- All-wheel drive and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- 522-litre boot, powered boot and 63-litre fuel tank.
- Sunroof plus 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- RM57,200 more expensive.
- 185 hp and 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trail the Camry’s 201 hp and 8.9 seconds.
- No front parking sensors, head-up display or electric steering adjustment.
Camry
- 201 hp, 246 Nm and an 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 524-litre boot in a lighter 1,565 kg body.
- Head-up display, front parking sensors and unlimited-kilometre five-year warranty.
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- Fixed rear seats rather than the Outback’s 60:40 split-folding arrangement.
- No sunroof.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000 | RM221,800✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM867✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 245 Nm | 246 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 14 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 8.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,920 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,825 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 1,565 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres | 524 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | Space Saver |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Ottoman Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Fixed Rear Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Manual Rear Sun Shades |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 9-speaker JBL 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 Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| 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 Outback & Camry for sale
Outback vs Camry FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Toyota Camry better?
The Toyota Camry is the better choice for most buyers: it is RM57,200 cheaper, has 201 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. Choose the Subaru Outback for all-wheel drive, a wagon body and folding rear seats.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM57,200 more than the Toyota Camry: RM279,000 versus RM221,800.
Which has the better warranty cover?
The Toyota Camry has the longer distance cover: five years with unlimited mileage. The Subaru Outback also has a five-year warranty, capped at 100,000 km.