Verdict
The RM149,888 price gap is enormous, and it frames this contest. The Subaru Outback is the simpler five-seat petrol wagon: its 522-litre boot is 212 litres larger, it weighs 948 kg less and its RM878 annual road tax is RM1,062 lower. The Volvo EX90 counters with seven seats, 671 hp and 870 Nm from two motors, dispatching 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds against 9.6 seconds. Its 106 kWh battery claims 617 km of range and supports 350 kW DC charging, but the 310-litre boot is tight with all three rows in use.
The EX90 Ultra Twin (RM428,888) sits above every Outback variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want the far lower RM279,000 entry price, a 522-litre boot and petrol refuelling without charging considerations.
Pick the Volvo EX90 if you need seven seats, 4.2-second acceleration and a 617 km electric range with 350 kW DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volvo EX90 RM428,888.
- Power and torque: Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; Volvo EX90 671 hp and 870 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds; Volvo EX90 4.2 seconds.
- Seating and boot space: Subaru Outback five seats and 522 litres; Volvo EX90 seven seats and 310 litres.
- Dimensions and weight: Subaru Outback 4,870 mm long and 1,756 kg; Volvo EX90 5,037 mm long and 2,704 kg.
- Annual road tax: Subaru Outback RM878; Volvo EX90 RM1,940.
Outback
- RM149,888 cheaper to buy.
- 522-litre boot, versus the EX90's 310 litres.
- 948 kg lighter and 167 mm shorter than the EX90.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the EX90's 671 hp and 870 Nm.
- Five seats versus the EX90's seven.
- 100,000 km warranty limit versus unlimited mileage.
EX90
- Seven seats with second-row integrated booster cushions.
- 617 km range, 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging.
- Powered, ventilated Nappa leather front seats with massage and a 25-speaker, 1,600-watt Bowers & Wilkins system.
- Costs RM149,888 more and has RM1,062 higher annual road tax.
- 310-litre boot is 212 litres smaller.
- At 2,704 kg, it is 948 kg heavier than the Outback.
What the Outback has over the EX90
What the EX90 has over the Outback
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The EX90's wheelbase is 240 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The EX90 is 89 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Outback: 522 litres against 310.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM428,888 |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878✓ | RM1,940 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,850/mo✓ | RM4,380/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,601✓ | RM11,399 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM1,527 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM7.63 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM74,327 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 9.6 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 20 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm | — |
| Torque | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 90 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 671 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 870 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 106 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 617 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 4.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 5,037 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,964 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,747 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,985 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 2,704 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 310 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 265/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 295/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Active Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Active Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 21" 8-spoke Glossy Black Diamond-cut Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 21" 8-spoke Glossy Black Diamond-cut Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Chassis with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front Center Airbag, 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on outer rear seats, with Integrated Booster Cushions |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Roof-mounted LiDAR removed on the CKD model (driver assistance functionality largely unchanged); dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processors |
| 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 | Powered and Ventilated Nappa Leather Seats with Massage |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50 |
| 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 | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | — | 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Middle Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,600 watt) |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| 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, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used Outback & EX90 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Subaru Outback
Volvo EX90
Outback vs EX90 FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volvo EX90 better?
The EX90 is better for seven-seat capacity, electric performance and long claimed range. The Outback is the more rational choice if five seats suffice, because it costs RM149,888 less, has a much larger boot and lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX90 costs RM428,888 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the EX90 is RM149,888 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot, the Subaru Outback or Volvo EX90?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres. The Volvo EX90 has 310 litres, a 212-litre deficit, though it adds a third row for seven seats.
How long does charging take?
The EX90's 106.0 kWh battery takes about 9.6 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 350 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The EX90 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the Outback is fully imported (CBU) from Japan. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.