Verdict
The Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, while the Volvo XC60 is RM328,888, leaving a RM49,888 gap. The Volvo answers with 246 hp, 350 Nm and a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Subaru’s 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. But the Outback gives Malaysian buyers a larger 522-litre boot, seven airbags and RM878 annual road tax. The XC60 is the more heavily equipped family SUV, with a 40:20:40 rear seat, integrated booster cushions and unlimited-mileage five-year warranty; the Outback makes more sense if carrying luggage matters more than outright pace.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you want the RM49,888 saving, a 522-litre boot and seven airbags in a five-seat AWD wagon.
Pick the Volvo XC60 if you want 246 hp, 350 Nm, a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time and more rear-seat family features.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volvo XC60 RM328,888.
- Performance: Subaru Outback 185 hp, 245 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds; Volvo XC60 246 hp, 350 Nm and 6.9 seconds.
- Boot space: Subaru Outback 522 litres; Volvo XC60 483 litres.
- Road tax: Subaru Outback RM878 per year; Volvo XC60 RM428 per year.
- Warranty mileage: Subaru Outback 100,000 km; Volvo XC60 unlimited mileage.
- Airbags: Subaru Outback seven; Volvo XC60 six.
Outback
- RM49,888 less expensive
- 522-litre boot is 39 litres larger
- Seven airbags and a 360-degree view monitor
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.9 seconds
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the Volvo’s 246 hp and 350 Nm
- Five-year warranty is capped at 100,000 km
XC60
- 246 hp, 350 Nm and 6.9-second 0-100 km/h performance
- 40:20:40 rear seat with integrated two-stage booster cushions
- Unlimited-mileage five-year warranty
- RM49,888 more expensive
- 483-litre boot is 39 litres smaller
- Six airbags versus the Subaru’s seven
What the Outback has over the XC60
What the XC60 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 XC60's wheelbase is 120 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the Outback: 522 litres against 483.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM328,888 |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM428✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,850/mo✓ | RM3,355/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,601✓ | RM8,864 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm | 246 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 90 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 30 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 6.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,708 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,902 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 2,450 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 483 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | — |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (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, with Integrated Boosters |
| 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 Projector 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 |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated 2-stage booster child seat cushions for the outer seats |
| 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 Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Powered Sunshade for Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio 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 Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with 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, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| 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 |
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). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used Outback & XC60 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Subaru Outback
Volvo XC60
Outback vs XC60 FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volvo XC60 better?
The XC60 is better for performance and rear-seat family equipment, with 246 hp, 350 Nm and integrated booster cushions. The Outback is better for lower purchase cost, a larger 522-litre boot and seven airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC60 costs RM49,888 more than the Subaru Outback: RM328,888 versus RM279,000.
Which has more luggage room?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres, compared with 483 litres in the Volvo XC60. That is a 39-litre advantage for the Subaru.
Which one is locally assembled?
The XC60 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.