Verdict
The Volvo XC40 costs RM10,112 less at RM268,888, yet its 263 hp and 390 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 6.4 seconds versus the Subaru Outback’s 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. It also halves annual road tax to RM428. The Outback answers with the space Malaysian family trips demand: its 522-litre boot is 62 litres larger, and its 63-litre tank beats the Volvo’s 49 litres. Choose carefully: the XC40 is far shorter at 4,425 mm for tighter parking, while the Outback is the longer-distance load carrier.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need the larger 522-litre boot, 63-litre fuel tank and a sunroof, and can accept slower acceleration.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want 263 hp, 390 Nm, 6.4-second acceleration and RM428 annual road tax in a more compact 4,425-mm SUV.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Performance: Subaru Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds; Volvo XC40 263 hp, 390 Nm and 6.4 seconds.
- Size: Subaru Outback is 4,870 mm long with a 2,745-mm wheelbase; Volvo XC40 is 4,425 mm long with a 2,702-mm wheelbase.
- Luggage space: Subaru Outback 522 litres; Volvo XC40 460 litres.
- Road tax: Subaru Outback RM878 per year; Volvo XC40 RM428 per year.
- Wheels: Subaru Outback 18-inch alloys; Volvo XC40 19-inch alloys.
Outback
- 522-litre boot and 63-litre fuel tank.
- Standard sunroof and 11.6-inch touchscreen with 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- 360-degree camera and powered boot.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the XC40’s 6.4 seconds.
- RM878 annual road tax is RM450 higher.
- No front parking sensors, navigation or auto parking.
XC40
- 263 hp and 390 Nm with a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- RM10,112 lower purchase price and RM428 annual road tax.
- Six front and six rear parking sensors, navigation and auto parking.
- 460-litre boot is 62 litres smaller than the Outback’s.
- 49-litre fuel tank is 14 litres smaller.
- No sunroof, while the Outback gets a tilt-and-slide unit.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 263 hp✓ |
| Torque | 245 Nm | 390 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 94 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| 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 System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 2 Front |
| 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" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| 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 Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| 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 hybrid 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 & XC40 for sale
Outback vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volvo XC40 better?
The Volvo XC40 is the stronger all-round pick on price, acceleration, road tax and parking assistance. Pick the Subaru Outback instead if its 522-litre boot, 63-litre tank and sunroof matter more than its 9.6-second acceleration time.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM279,000 and the Volvo XC40 costs RM268,888, so the Outback is RM10,112 more expensive.
Which is better for carrying luggage?
The Subaru Outback is better for luggage, with a 522-litre boot against the Volvo XC40’s 460 litres. Its 63-litre fuel tank also exceeds the XC40’s 49 litres for longer journeys between refuelling stops.