Verdict
The RM70,112 gap is substantial: the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000 to the Volvo EX30’s RM208,888, yet it is the larger long-distance load carrier, with a 522-litre boot, 2,745 mm wheelbase and 63-litre petrol tank. The EX30 is a very different proposition: its 69 kWh battery claims 476 km, its 268 hp/343 Nm rear motor cuts 0-100 km/h to 5.3 seconds, and DC charging reaches 175 kW. For Malaysian family trips and rougher-weather confidence, the Outback’s AWD and space matter; for urban use and lower annual road tax, the Volvo makes stronger sense.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need AWD, a 522-litre boot and substantially more cabin length for family journeys.
Pick the Volvo EX30 if you want a RM208,888 EV with 476 km claimed range, 175 kW DC charging and 5.3-second acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volvo EX30 RM208,888.
- Powertrain: Outback 185 hp/245 Nm 2.5-litre petrol AWD; EX30 268 hp/343 Nm single-motor electric RWD.
- 0-100 km/h: Outback 9.6 seconds; EX30 5.3 seconds.
- Length and boot space: Outback 4,870 mm and 522 litres; EX30 4,223 mm and 318 litres.
- Road tax: Outback RM878 per year; EX30 RM260 per year.
- EV charging: Outback has no charging capability; EX30 has 11 kW AC and 175 kW DC charging.
Outback
- 522-litre boot and 4,870 mm body
- All-wheel drive
- Rear air-con vents and front foglamps
- RM70,112 more expensive
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.3 seconds
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty versus five years with unlimited mileage
EX30
- 476 km claimed range from a 69 kWh battery
- 175 kW DC charging and 3.6 kW V2L
- Six front and six rear parking sensors, plus auto parking
- 318-litre boot versus 522 litres
- Rear-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive
- No rear air-con vents or front foglamps
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000 | RM208,888✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM260✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | — |
| Torque | 245 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 94 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 268 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 343 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 69 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 476 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 175 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,223 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,837 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 318 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 24545R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electric 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 | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| 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 | — |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| 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 | 12.3" Touchscreen with Google Services Built-in, 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 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 | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 & EX30 for sale
Outback vs EX30 FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volvo EX30 better?
The EX30 is better for lower running tax, rapid acceleration and EV charging, with 476 km claimed range. The Outback is better if you need AWD and luggage room: its 522-litre boot is 204 litres larger than the EX30’s.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM70,112 more than the Volvo EX30: RM279,000 versus RM208,888.
Which is quicker, the Subaru Outback or Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is much quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. The Subaru Outback takes 9.6 seconds, a 4.3-second difference.