Verdict
At RM279,000, the Subaru Outback costs RM10,000 less than the Toyota Harrier and makes the stronger practical case for a Malaysian buyer carrying luggage: its 522-litre boot is 126 litres larger, its 185 hp/245 Nm 2.5-litre boxer engine beats the Harrier’s 175 hp/221 Nm 2.487-litre petrol engine, and AWD is standard. The Harrier counters with hybrid assistance from a 118 hp, 202 Nm motor, tyre-pressure monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with braking and unlimited-mileage warranty. Choose it for those features, not extra cargo room.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need AWD, a 522-litre boot and stronger 185 hp/245 Nm engine figures for RM10,000 less.
Pick the Toyota Harrier if hybrid assistance, tyre-pressure monitoring, rear cross-traffic braking and unlimited-mileage warranty matter more than boot capacity.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Toyota Harrier RM289,000.
- Engine output: Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; Toyota Harrier 175 hp and 221 Nm.
- Boot space: Subaru Outback 522 litres; Toyota Harrier 396 litres.
- Length: Subaru Outback 4,870 mm; Toyota Harrier 4,740 mm.
- Fuel tank: Subaru Outback 63 litres; Toyota Harrier 55 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: Subaru Outback five years/100,000 km; Toyota Harrier five years/unlimited mileage.
Outback
- 522-litre boot, 126 litres larger
- AWD with 185 hp and 245 Nm
- 11.6-inch screen and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- RM878 annual road tax versus RM830
- No tyre-pressure monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert with braking
- Warranty is capped at 100,000 km
Harrier
- 118 hp, 202 Nm hybrid motor assistance
- Tyre-pressure monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with braking
- Unlimited-mileage warranty plus eight-year hybrid component cover
- Costs RM10,000 more
- 396-litre boot is 126 litres smaller
- Front-wheel drive and lower 175 hp/221 Nm engine figures
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM289,000 |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM830✓ |
| 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 and hybrid assistance (VVT-iE on intake, VVT-i on exhaust) |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp✓ | 175 hp |
| Torque | 245 Nm✓ | 221 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 94 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 118 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 202 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,740 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 1,695 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 396 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L 33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (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 | ✓ | — |
| 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 on 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 |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Braking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| 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 | 12-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, Manual Recline |
| 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 | Full-sized Moonroof with Electrochromic Function |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights, Cupholder Lights and Footwell 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-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 8" Display Audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Six speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | Powered with Kick Sensor |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Hybrid Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 & Harrier for sale
Outback vs Harrier FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Toyota Harrier better?
The Outback is the better choice for AWD, luggage capacity and stronger engine figures. The Harrier is better if you prioritise hybrid assistance, tyre-pressure monitoring, rear cross-traffic braking and unlimited-mileage warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Harrier costs RM10,000 more than the Subaru Outback.
Which has the bigger boot, the Subaru Outback or Toyota Harrier?
The Subaru Outback has the bigger boot at 522 litres. The Toyota Harrier has 396 litres, leaving the Outback with a 126-litre advantage.