Verdict
At RM279,000, the Subaru Outback costs RM12,012 less than the RM291,012 Volkswagen Arteon, but the Arteon turns that gap into a 276 hp, 350 Nm drivetrain and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time against 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. It also has a larger 563-litre boot and much lower RM372 annual road tax, versus RM878. The Outback answers with a taller 1,682 mm wagon body, sunroof and 360-degree monitor. For a Malaysian buyer who values pace and lower annual tax, the Arteon is the sharper buy; choose the Outback for its wagon format and cabin equipment.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want the RM12,012 lower entry price, a 1,682 mm-tall wagon body, sunroof and 360-degree camera.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if you want 276 hp, 350 Nm, a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time and RM372 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012.
- Output: Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; Volkswagen Arteon 276 hp and 350 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds; Volkswagen Arteon 5.6 seconds.
- Annual road tax: Subaru Outback RM878; Volkswagen Arteon RM372.
- Boot space: Subaru Outback 522 litres; Volkswagen Arteon 563 litres.
- Height: Subaru Outback 1,682 mm; Volkswagen Arteon 1,450 mm.
Outback
- RM12,012 cheaper to buy.
- Sunroof and 360-degree view monitor.
- Taller 1,682 mm wagon body.
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.6 seconds.
- RM878 annual road tax versus RM372.
- Smaller 522-litre boot versus 563 litres.
Arteon
- 276 hp and 350 Nm.
- 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 563-litre boot and RM372 annual road tax.
- Costs RM12,012 more.
- No sunroof.
- No front foglamps.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM291,012 |
| Body type | Wagon | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM372✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 16-Valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 276 hp✓ |
| Torque | 245 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 82.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 9.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | 7-speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | Volkswagen AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 5.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 164 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,862 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,871 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,837 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 1,600 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres | 563 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 245/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full-Size 19" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Montevideo Two-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 Airbags, Stability Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors with Cornering Lights and Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| 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 | 14-Way Power-adjustable with Driver's Side Memory |
| 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB-C, 1 Front Qi Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 Colours) |
| 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 | Discover Pro 9.2" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-speaker Harman Kardon 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 3-year/45,000 km Free Service |
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 & Arteon for sale
Outback vs Arteon FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volkswagen Arteon better?
The Volkswagen Arteon is the better choice for outright performance, boot space and annual road tax: 276 hp, 5.6 seconds to 100 km/h, 563 litres and RM372. The Subaru Outback suits buyers wanting a taller wagon, sunroof and 360-degree monitor for less money.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Arteon costs RM291,012 and the Subaru Outback RM279,000, so the Arteon is RM12,012 more expensive.
Which is cheaper to run in annual road tax?
The Volkswagen Arteon has lower annual road tax at RM372, compared with RM878 for the Subaru Outback. The Arteon also has a rated fuel economy figure of 7.4 L/100 km; no rated economy figure is stated for the Outback.