Verdict
At RM279,000, the Subaru Outback is RM2,073 cheaper than the RM281,073 Xpeng X9, but they serve different households. The Outback brings AWD and a 1,756 kg wagon body, while its 185 hp, 245 Nm petrol flat-four needs 9.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h. The X9’s 315 hp, 450 Nm motor cuts that to 8.2 seconds, carries seven and has a 721-litre boot. Its 535 km range, 537 kW DC charging and RM365 annual road tax make the extra spend easier to justify if charging access and passenger capacity matter.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive in a lighter five-seat wagon and prefer petrol refuelling.
Pick the Xpeng X9 if you need seven seats, a 721-litre boot and an EV with 535 km of claimed range.
Key differences
- Performance: Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; X9 315 hp and 450 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Outback 9.6 seconds; X9 8.2 seconds.
- Driveline: Outback all-wheel drive; X9 front-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot space: Outback five seats and 522 litres; X9 seven seats and 721 litres.
- Annual road tax: Outback RM878; X9 RM365.
- Length and weight: Outback 4,870 mm and 1,756 kg; X9 5,316 mm and 2,750 kg.
Outback
- All-wheel drive
- 994 kg lighter
- Front foglamps fitted
- Five seats and a 522-litre boot versus seven seats and 721 litres
- 185 hp and 245 Nm versus 315 hp and 450 Nm
- Rear air-con vents rather than triple-zone climate control
X9
- Seven seats with second-row captain seats
- 535 km EV range and 537 kW DC charging
- Air suspension and rear-axle steering
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- 2,750 kg versus 1,756 kg
- 200 km/h top speed versus 206 km/h
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM281,073 |
| Body type | Wagon | MPV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM365✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | — |
| Torque | 245 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 94 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 315 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 94.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 535 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 537 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 8.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 5,316 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,988 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,785 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 3,160 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 2,750 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres | 721 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| 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 | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 20" Alloys with Floating Logo |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension, Rear-axle Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags, Integrated Second Row Seat Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Second & Third Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| 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 | Driver and Front Passenger Powered Seats, Front Seat Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 14-way Second Row Individual Captain Seats with Ventilation, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row with One-touch Electric Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Triple-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Double Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 Wireless Chargers, 2 USB Second Row, 2 USB Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 17.3" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 27-speaker XOpera Sound 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Front Doors & Rear Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 120,000 km✓ |
| 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 & X9 for sale
Outback vs X9 FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Xpeng X9 better?
The Xpeng X9 is the better choice for seven occupants, larger luggage capacity and EV driving, with 315 hp and 450 Nm. The Subaru Outback suits buyers who specifically need all-wheel drive and a smaller, lighter five-seat wagon.
What is the price difference?
The Xpeng X9 costs RM2,073 more than the Subaru Outback. Its annual road tax is RM513 lower, at RM365 versus RM878 for the Outback.
Which has more passenger and luggage space?
The Xpeng X9 does. It has seven seats and a 721-litre boot, against the Subaru Outback’s five seats and 522-litre boot. The X9 is also 446 mm longer, with a 415 mm longer wheelbase.