Verdict
At RM279,000, the Subaru Outback costs RM36,600 less than the RM315,600 Toyota GR Yaris, yet brings five seats, five doors and a 522-litre boot against the Toyota’s four seats, two doors and 174 litres. It is the practical long-distance choice, with rear air-con vents, powered front seats and a 63-litre tank. The GR Yaris is for the driver: 296 hp and 400 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 5.2 seconds, versus 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. But its RM207 annual road tax is far easier to stomach than the Outback’s RM878.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need five-seat, five-door practicality, a 522-litre boot and more rear-seat comfort for RM36,600 less.
Pick the Toyota GR Yaris if a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time, 296 hp turbo engine and six-speed manual matter more than rear space.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Toyota GR Yaris RM315,600.
- Performance: Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds; GR Yaris 296 hp, 400 Nm and 5.2 seconds.
- Practicality: Outback has 5 seats, 5 doors and a 522-litre boot; GR Yaris has 4 seats, 2 doors and a 174-litre boot.
- Size and weight: Outback is 4,870 mm long and 1,756 kg; GR Yaris is 3,995 mm and 1,280 kg.
- Road tax: Outback RM878 per year; GR Yaris RM207 per year.
- Transmission: Outback uses a Lineartronic CVT; GR Yaris uses a six-speed manual.
Outback
- 522-litre boot with five seats and five doors.
- Rear air-con vents, sunroof and powered front seats.
- RM36,600 cheaper with a 63-litre fuel tank.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the GR Yaris' 5.2 seconds.
- RM878 annual road tax is RM671 higher.
- CVT instead of the GR Yaris' six-speed manual.
GR Yaris
- 296 hp and 400 Nm with a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Six-speed manual, Torsen front and rear limited-slip differentials.
- RM207 annual road tax.
- RM36,600 more expensive than the Outback.
- Only 174 litres of boot space versus 522 litres.
- Two doors and four seats, against the Outback's five doors and five seats.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM315,600 |
| Body type | Wagon | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM207✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,618 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 296 hp✓ |
| Torque | 245 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 87 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | 6MT |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 5.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h | 230 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,805 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,455 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,560 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 1,280 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 174 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 225/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| 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) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Torsen Front and Rear Limited-slip Differential, Performance-tuned Springs, Dampers and Steering, User-selectable Torque Split, Rev Matching |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 | 5 three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| 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, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 7" Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, AUX and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| 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 & GR Yaris for sale
Outback vs GR Yaris FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Toyota GR Yaris better?
The Outback is better for family and luggage duties with five seats and a 522-litre boot. The GR Yaris is better for performance, delivering 296 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Yaris costs RM36,600 more than the Subaru Outback: RM315,600 versus RM279,000.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The Toyota GR Yaris is cheaper to tax at RM207 per year. The Subaru Outback costs RM878 annually, a RM671 difference.