Verdict
At RM279,000, the Subaru Outback is RM7,910 cheaper and gives you a larger 4,870 mm-long, 1,682 mm-tall wagon with a space-saver spare. The Volvo V60 answers with far stronger 316 hp and 400 Nm outputs, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 9.6 to 4.6 seconds, plus a 49 km EV range from its 11.6 kWh plug-in-hybrid battery. Its RM365 annual road tax is also RM513 lower. For Malaysian buyers able to charge, the V60’s performance and PHEV capability justify the small upfront gap; the Outback suits those prioritising size and a spare tyre.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want the lower RM279,000 entry price, a larger body and a space-saver spare tyre.
Pick the Volvo V60 if you can use its 49 km EV range and want 316 hp, 400 Nm and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volvo V60 RM286,910.
- Power and torque: Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; Volvo V60 316 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Subaru Outback 9.6 seconds; Volvo V60 4.6 seconds.
- Electrification: Subaru Outback petrol only; Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid with 11.6 kWh battery and 49 km EV range.
- Dimensions: Subaru Outback 4,870 mm long and 1,682 mm tall; Volvo V60 4,761 mm and 1,432 mm.
- Road tax: Subaru Outback RM878 per year; Volvo V60 RM365 per year.
Outback
- RM7,910 lower purchase price.
- Longer 4,870 mm body and taller 1,682 mm roofline.
- Space-saver spare tyre included.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the V60’s 316 hp and 400 Nm.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time is five seconds behind the V60.
- No plug-in-hybrid motor, battery or EV range.
V60
- 316 hp, 400 Nm and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
- 11.6 kWh battery with 49 km EV range.
- RM365 annual road tax and 120,000 km warranty coverage.
- RM7,910 more expensive to buy.
- Shorter 4,761 mm body and lower 1,432 mm height.
- No spare tyre is listed.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM286,910 |
| Body type | Wagon | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM365✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 316 hp✓ |
| Torque | 245 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 94 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 86 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 240 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 11.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 49 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 4.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 46 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,432 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 2,041 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres | 529 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 5-multi-spoke Two-Tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 5-multi-spoke Two-Tone Alloy |
| 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, 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, with Pedestrian, Cyclist, Oncoming Vehicle and Large Animal Detection (4 to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Collision Mitigation, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Mitigation, Run-off Road Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| 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 Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB-C |
| 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 | 9" Touchscreen Sensus Connect Infotainment System with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (600 W) |
| 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 Knob Twist |
| 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 with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Park Assist Pilot with Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Boot Grocery Bag Holder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 120,000 km✓ |
| 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 & V60 for sale
Outback vs V60 FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volvo V60 better?
The Volvo V60 is the stronger choice if charging is practical: it has 316 hp, 400 Nm, 49 km of EV range and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the Subaru Outback for its lower price, larger dimensions and space-saver spare.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo V60 costs RM286,910, which is RM7,910 more than the Subaru Outback at RM279,000. The V60 also has lower annual road tax: RM365 versus RM878.
Can the Volvo V60 be driven on electric power?
Yes. The V60 plug-in hybrid has one 86 hp, 240 Nm motor, an 11.6 kWh battery and a quoted EV range of 49 km. Its AC charging rate is 3.7 kW.