Subaru Outback vs Volkswagen Golf GTI
Verdict
The Subaru Outback costs RM280,390 against the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s RM244,012, so the Subaru asks RM36,378 more and RM506 extra in yearly road tax. For that, you get a much larger wagon: 522 litres of boot space, a 63-litre tank, all-wheel drive and a five-year warranty. The GTI is the quicker car on paper, with 261 hp, 370 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds versus 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. Pick space and coverage, or speed and lower running taxes.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want the bigger five-seat car, 522-litre boot, all-wheel drive and a five-year warranty.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf GTI if you want much stronger performance, a lower price, lower road tax and the quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM280,390; Volkswagen Golf GTI RM244,012
- Power and torque: Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; Volkswagen Golf GTI 261 hp and 370 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds; Volkswagen Golf GTI 5.9 seconds
- Boot space: Subaru Outback 522 litres; Volkswagen Golf GTI 350 litres
- Driven wheels: Subaru Outback all-wheel drive; Volkswagen Golf GTI front-wheel drive
- Warranty: Subaru Outback 5 years; Volkswagen Golf GTI 2 years
Outback
- Bigger 522-litre boot
- All-wheel drive
- Longer five-year warranty
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher RM878 yearly road tax
- Costs RM36,378 more
Golf GTI
- Strong 261 hp and 370 Nm outputs
- Quick 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower RM372 yearly road tax
- Smaller 350-litre boot
- Front-wheel drive only
- Shorter two-year warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 280,390 | RM 244,012✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 261 hp✓ |
| Torque | 245 Nm | 370 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | 7-Speed DSG |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,289 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,631 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 225/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| 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 | 18" Richmond Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Richmond Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), Electronic Differential Lock (XDS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 3-person Memory, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| 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 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient 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 | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-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 | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| 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✓ | 2 years |
| 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 Golf GTI FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volkswagen Golf GTI better?
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is better for performance, with 261 hp and 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. The Subaru Outback is better for space and coverage, with a 522-litre boot, all-wheel drive and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback is RM36,378 more expensive. It is priced at RM280,390, while the Volkswagen Golf GTI is RM244,012.
Which car has more boot space?
The Subaru Outback has more boot space, at 522 litres versus the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s 350 litres. That is a 172-litre advantage for the Subaru.