Verdict
The Subaru Outback BT is the more complete new-car choice, adding 12 hp and 10 Nm for a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time, plus autonomous braking, steering correction and adaptive cruise control. It is also 55 mm longer and carries 522 litres in the boot. But the outgoing Subaru Outback BN costs RM218,488 against RM279,000, a substantial saving for the same 2.5-litre petrol flat-four, all-wheel drive, 2,745 mm wheelbase and five-year/100,000 km warranty. For a Malaysian used-car buyer, the BN’s 7.6 L/100 km rated economy is another useful published reference; the BT has no rated figure here.
Pick the Subaru Outback BN if you want the far lower entry price, a 7.6 L/100 km rated consumption figure and can live without the newer driver-assistance kit.
Pick the Subaru Outback BT if you want autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, a larger 11.6-inch screen and the quicker 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback BN RM218,488; Subaru Outback BT RM279,000.
- Output: Subaru Outback BN 173 hp and 235 Nm; Subaru Outback BT 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Performance: Subaru Outback BN reaches 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and tops out at 198 km/h; Subaru Outback BT does 9.6 seconds and 206 km/h.
- Size and luggage space: Subaru Outback BN is 4,815 mm long with a 512-litre boot; Subaru Outback BT is 4,870 mm long with a 522-litre boot.
- Driver assistance: Subaru Outback BN has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist and passive cruise control; Subaru Outback BT has autonomous braking,…
- Infotainment: Subaru Outback BN has a seven-inch touchscreen CD/MP3 player with 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio; Subaru Outback BT gets an 11.
BN
- RM60,512 cheaper to buy.
- Published 7.6 L/100 km rated economy.
- 132 kg lighter at 1,624 kg.
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot information system.
- Passive cruise control rather than adaptive cruise control.
- Smaller 512-litre boot and seven-inch infotainment screen.
BT
- 185 hp and 245 Nm, with a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Autonomous braking, steering correction and adaptive cruise control.
- 11.6-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 360-degree monitor.
- Costs RM60,512 more.
- Heavier at 1,756 kg versus 1,624 kg.
- No rated fuel-consumption figure is stated, unlike the BN’s 7.6 L/100 km figure.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM218,488✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | Wagon | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 173 hp | 185 hp✓ |
| Torque | 235 Nm | 245 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.9 seconds | 9.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 198 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 175 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,815 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,624 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 512 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | SI-Drive, X-Mode with Active Torque Vectoring | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable (Lumbar Support for Driver) | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | Manual reclining, 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 Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen CD/MP3 Player and Harman Kardon Green Edge sound system with 12 speakers | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 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 cars for sale
BN vs BT FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback BN or Subaru Outback BT better?
The Subaru Outback BT is better equipped and slightly quicker, with 185 hp, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The Subaru Outback BN is the sensible value pick if those safety and convenience upgrades are not essential.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback BT costs RM60,512 more than the Subaru Outback BN.
Which Outback has better safety equipment?
The Subaru Outback BT has the stronger active-safety suite: autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot information, steering correction and adaptive cruise control. Both have seven airbags, ABS/EBD and stability control.