Subaru Outback vs Volkswagen Arteon
Verdict
The Subaru Outback is RM280,390; the Volkswagen Arteon is RM291,012, a RM10,622 gap. Volkswagen turns spec into speed: 276 hp and 350 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and a 250 km/h top speed, against 185 hp, 245 Nm, 9.6 seconds and 206 km/h. It also has a 563-litre boot versus 522 litres. The Outback answers with a taller wagon body at 1,682 mm. Both are AWD, five-seat petrol D-segment cars with seven airbags, AEB and a five-year warranty.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want the taller wagon body, slightly larger exterior footprint and AWD safety kit without paying the Volkswagen’s extra RM10,622.
Pick the Volkswagen Arteon if acceleration, torque, boot space and lower annual road tax matter more than the Outback’s taller roofline.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM280,390; Volkswagen Arteon RM291,012
- Power and torque: Subaru 185 hp/245 Nm; Volkswagen 276 hp/350 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: Subaru 9.6 s/206 km/h; Volkswagen 5.6 s/250 km/h
- Size: Subaru 4,870 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, 1,682 mm tall; Volkswagen 4,862 mm, 1,871 mm, 1,450 mm
- Wheelbase and boot: Subaru 2,745 mm/522 L; Volkswagen 2,837 mm/563 L
- Road tax: Subaru RM878 per year; Volkswagen RM372 per year
Outback
- Taller 1,682 mm wagon body
- Slightly longer and wider at 4,870 mm and 1,875 mm
- AWD, seven airbags and AEB
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the Arteon
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time is much slower
- RM878 annual road tax
Arteon
- 276 hp and 350 Nm
- 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- 563-litre boot and 2,837 mm wheelbase
- Lower 1,450 mm roofline
- Not as long or wide as the Outback
- Costs RM10,622 more
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 280,390✓ | RM 291,012 |
| Body type | Wagon | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| 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✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 878 | RM 372✓ |
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.
Outback vs Arteon FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volkswagen Arteon better?
The Volkswagen Arteon is better for pace and boot space, with 276 hp, 5.6 seconds to 100 km/h and 563 litres. The Subaru Outback suits buyers who want the taller wagon body while keeping AWD, AEB, seven airbags and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Arteon costs RM10,622 more than the Subaru Outback, at RM291,012 versus RM280,390.
Which one is faster?
The Volkswagen Arteon is clearly faster. It does 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and tops out at 250 km/h, while the Subaru Outback takes 9.6 seconds and reaches 206 km/h.