Verdict
At RM279,000, the Subaru Outback undercuts the RM289,000 Toyota Harrier by RM10,000, yet brings all-wheel drive, a larger 522-litre boot and a 185 hp/245 Nm 2.5-litre boxer engine. The Harrier counters with hybrid assistance, lower RM830 annual road tax, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, front parking sensors and an 8-year/unlimited-mileage hybrid-system warranty. For Malaysian buyers carrying bulky loads or needing traction beyond tarmac, the Subaru is the more practical mechanical package; the Toyota is the more feature-rich urban SUV.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want all-wheel drive, 522 litres of luggage room and stronger 185 hp/245 Nm engine outputs for RM10,000 less.
Pick the Toyota Harrier if hybrid assistance, front parking sensors, rear cross-traffic braking and its 8-year/unlimited-mileage hybrid-system warranty matter more than boot space and all-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Toyota Harrier RM289,000.
- Driveline: Subaru Outback all-wheel drive; Toyota Harrier front-wheel drive.
- 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.
- Fuel tank: Subaru Outback 63 litres; Toyota Harrier 55 litres.
- Annual road tax: Subaru Outback RM878; Toyota Harrier RM830.
Outback
- RM10,000 lower purchase price
- All-wheel drive
- 522-litre boot and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Higher RM878 annual road tax versus RM830
- No front parking sensors, navigation or rear cross-traffic alert with braking
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty versus unlimited mileage
Harrier
- Hybrid assistance with one 118 hp/202 Nm motor
- Rear cross-traffic alert with braking and tyre-pressure monitoring
- Front parking sensors, navigation and front/rear digital video recorder
- RM10,000 higher price
- 396-litre boot is 126 litres smaller
- Front-wheel drive and lower 175 hp/221 Nm engine outputs
What the Outback has over the Harrier
What the Harrier has over the Outback
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Outback's wheelbase is 55 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the Outback: 522 litres against 396.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| 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✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,850/mo✓ | RM2,950/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,601✓ | RM7,861 |
| 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 at 5,800 rpm✓ | 175 hp at 5,700 rpm |
| Torque | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm✓ | 221 Nm at 3,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 90 mm | 87.5 mm × 103.4 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 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 16 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 14 inch |
| 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 | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used Outback & Harrier for sale
Our reviews & guides
Subaru Outback
Outback vs Harrier FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Toyota Harrier better?
The Outback is the better choice for space and traction: it has all-wheel drive and a 522-litre boot. Choose the Harrier for hybrid assistance and its stronger parking and monitoring equipment, including front sensors and rear cross-traffic braking.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Harrier costs RM10,000 more than the Subaru Outback: RM289,000 against RM279,000.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Subaru Outback has the bigger boot at 522 litres, compared with 396 litres in the Toyota Harrier. That is a 126-litre advantage for the Subaru.