Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer needing outright pace and luggage capacity, the Volkswagen Touareg earns its RM105,972 premium with 335 hp, a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and an 810-litre boot. Its 2,984-mm wheelbase is 239 mm longer, while air suspension, night vision and rear dual-zone climate control reinforce the executive brief. But it also carries RM1,632 annual road tax. The Subaru Outback is RM878 a year, has 522 litres of luggage space and a 5-year/100,000-km warranty. Choose it if 185 hp and 9.6-second performance are sufficient.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want all-wheel drive, lower annual road tax and a substantially lower purchase price, and do not need Touareg-level performance or cargo space.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need 335 hp, a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time, 810 litres of boot space and its longer-wheelbase executive cabin.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Power and torque: Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; Volkswagen Touareg 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds; Volkswagen Touareg 6.0 seconds.
- Boot space: Subaru Outback 522 litres; Volkswagen Touareg 810 litres.
- Wheelbase: Subaru Outback 2,745 mm; Volkswagen Touareg 2,984 mm.
- Annual road tax: Subaru Outback RM878; Volkswagen Touareg RM1,632.
Outback
- RM105,972 cheaper to buy.
- RM754 lower annual road tax.
- Gets a driver knee airbag and a tilt-and-slide sunroof.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the Touareg's 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- 522-litre boot is 288 litres smaller than the Touareg's.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.6 seconds slower.
Touareg
- 335 hp, 450 Nm and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 810-litre boot and 2,984-mm wheelbase.
- Air suspension, night vision and rear dual-zone climate control.
- Costs RM105,972 more than the Outback.
- Annual road tax is RM754 higher.
- Its 5-year warranty has unlimited mileage, while the Outback covers 100,000 km.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM384,972 |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878✓ | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 245 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic 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 |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| 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 | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| 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 | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 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 |
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 & Touareg for sale
Outback vs Touareg FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Touareg is better for performance, boot capacity and executive equipment, with 335 hp and 810 litres of cargo room. The Outback is the more sensible choice when its lower purchase cost and RM878 annual road tax matter more than a 6.0-second sprint.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, while the Volkswagen Touareg costs RM384,972. The Touareg is RM105,972 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the larger boot at 810 litres, versus 522 litres in the Subaru Outback. That is a 288-litre advantage for the Touareg.