Verdict
At RM279,000, the Subaru Outback costs RM88,340 more than the RM190,660 Volkswagen Tayron. The Outback brings 185 hp, all-wheel drive and a much larger 522-litre boot, useful if five people and their luggage are the priority. But the Tayron seats seven, has a 2,790-mm wheelbase and annual road tax of just RM120 against RM878. Both reach 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds, so the Subaru’s extra 37 hp does not translate into a claimed sprint advantage. The Volkswagen is the more rational Malaysian family buy; the Subaru suits buyers who need AWD and cargo space.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, 185 hp and a 522-litre boot for a five-seat load.
Pick the Volkswagen Tayron if you want seven seats, far lower RM120 annual road tax and RM88,340 left in your pocket.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volkswagen Tayron RM190,660.
- Road tax per year: Subaru Outback RM878; Volkswagen Tayron RM120.
- Power and drive: Subaru Outback 185 hp with all-wheel drive; Volkswagen Tayron 148 hp with front-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot space: Subaru Outback five seats and 522 litres; Volkswagen Tayron seven seats and 345 litres.
- Wheelbase: Subaru Outback 2,745 mm; Volkswagen Tayron 2,790 mm.
- Warranty: Subaru Outback five years/100,000 km; Volkswagen Tayron two years/unlimited mileage.
Outback
- 185 hp and all-wheel drive.
- 522-litre boot, 177 litres larger than the Tayron's.
- Sunroof and 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
- Costs RM88,340 more and carries RM758 more annual road tax.
- Only five seats versus the Tayron's seven.
- No front parking sensors or auto parking, where the Tayron has six front sensors and auto parking.
Tayron
- Seven seats with a sliding 40:20:40 second row and 50:50 third row.
- RM120 annual road tax.
- Ventilated, massaging 12-way front seats and auto parking.
- Front-wheel drive and 148 hp, against the Outback's all-wheel drive and 185 hp.
- 345-litre boot is 177 litres smaller than the Outback's.
- Two-year warranty is shorter than the Outback's five-year/100,000-km cover.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000 | RM190,660✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM120✓ |
| 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 with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 245 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 94 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,792 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,790 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 345 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Hankook Ventus evoSUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Dynamic Chassis Control Pro |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front & Rear Side Bags, Curtain Airbags & Front Centre 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat and 2 Outer Middle Row 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 | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| 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 Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| 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 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Manual Rear Window Blinds |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.9" Discover Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 8-speaker Volkswagen 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 | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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✓ | 2 years |
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 & Tayron for sale
Outback vs Tayron FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volkswagen Tayron better?
The Volkswagen Tayron is better for most Malaysian families because it has seven seats, lower RM120 road tax and costs RM88,340 less. Choose the Subaru Outback instead for all-wheel drive, 185 hp and its 522-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM88,340 more than the Volkswagen Tayron.
Which has more luggage space, the Subaru Outback or Volkswagen Tayron?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, compared with 345 litres for the Volkswagen Tayron. The Tayron counters with seven seats, while the Outback is a five-seater.