Verdict
The RM163,888 gap is vast: the Outback costs RM279,000, carries 522 litres of luggage and is 1,756 kg, while the RM442,888 EX90 brings seven seats, 510 hp, 910 Nm and a 111 kWh battery rated for 600 km. For Malaysian families able to charge at home or work, the Volvo’s 4.9-second 0-100 km/h pace, 250 kW DC charging and third row make it the far more capable people mover. The Subaru is the pragmatic choice if five seats are enough and a 63-litre petrol tank suits your routine.
Outback
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need five seats, a larger 522-litre boot and want to save RM163,888 upfront.
EX90
Pick the Volvo EX90 if you need seven seats, 600 km electric range and vastly stronger 510 hp, 910 Nm performance.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volvo EX90 RM442,888.
- Power and torque: Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; EX90 510 hp and 910 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Outback 9.6 seconds; EX90 4.9 seconds.
- Seating and boot space: Outback five seats and 522 litres; EX90 seven seats and 310 litres.
- Dimensions and weight: Outback 4,870 mm long and 1,756 kg; EX90 5,037 mm long and 2,704 kg.
- Energy system: Outback has a 63-litre petrol tank; EX90 has a 111 kWh battery, 600 km range and 250 kW DC charging.
Outback
- RM163,888 cheaper to buy.
- 522-litre boot beats the EX90’s 310 litres.
- 948 kg lighter and 167 mm shorter.
- Only five seats versus the EX90’s seven.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the EX90’s 510 hp and 910 Nm.
- No head-up display or built-in navigation.
EX90
- Seven seats with a 50:50 split-folding third row.
- 510 hp, 910 Nm and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 111 kWh battery, 600 km range and up to 250 kW DC charging.
- RM163,888 more expensive.
- 310-litre boot is 212 litres smaller than the Outback’s.
- At 2,704 kg and 5,037 mm long, it is 948 kg heavier and 167 mm longer.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM442,888 |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878✓ | RM965 |
| 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 | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 510 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 910 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 111 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 250 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 | 4.9 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) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Chassis with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 |
| 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 with Memory Function for Driver |
| 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.
Used Outback & EX90 for sale
Outback vs EX90 FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volvo EX90 better?
The EX90 is better for a seven-seat electric family vehicle, with 600 km range and 4.9-second acceleration. The Outback is better if five seats suffice and its RM163,888 lower price plus 522-litre boot matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX90 costs RM163,888 more than the Subaru Outback: RM442,888 against RM279,000.
Which has more luggage space?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, compared with 310 litres in the Volvo EX90. The Volvo counters with a third row and seven seats, while the Subaru seats five.