Verdict
At RM238,888, the Lexus LBX costs RM40,112 less than the Subaru Outback and its RM120 annual road tax is far easier on the Malaysian wallet than RM878. The LBX is 680 mm shorter, 50 mm narrower and has a 315-litre boot, so it suits tighter urban parking but gives away serious carrying capacity. The Outback’s 522-litre boot, all-wheel drive and 245 Nm make it the more useful long-distance load carrier, yet both record the same 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose by space and drivetrain, not outright sprinting pace.
Pick the Lexus LBX if you want the RM40,112 lower purchase price, hybrid hardware and a compact 4,190 mm footprint for city use.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot and substantially more cabin-sized exterior space.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus LBX RM238,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Road tax: Lexus LBX RM120 per year; Subaru Outback RM878 per year.
- Engine output: Lexus LBX 90 hp and 120 Nm; Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- Driveline: Lexus LBX front-wheel drive; Subaru Outback all-wheel drive.
- Length and boot space: Lexus LBX 4,190 mm and 315 litres; Subaru Outback 4,870 mm and 522 litres.
- Wheels: Lexus LBX 17-inch alloys; Subaru Outback 18-inch alloys.
LBX
- RM40,112 cheaper to buy with RM758 lower annual road tax.
- Petrol-hybrid system with a 93 hp, 185 Nm electric motor.
- Eight airbags, front parking sensors and built-in navigation.
- 315-litre boot trails the Outback’s 522 litres.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Outback’s all-wheel drive.
- 90 hp and 120 Nm engine outputs are below the Outback’s 185 hp and 245 Nm.
Outback
- 522-litre boot, 207 litres larger than the LBX’s.
- All-wheel drive and 245 Nm from its 2.5-litre boxer engine.
- 11.6-inch touchscreen, 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio and 360-degree camera.
- Costs RM40,112 more and carries RM878 annual road tax against RM120.
- At 4,870 mm long, it is 680 mm longer than the LBX.
- Seven airbags versus the LBX’s eight, and no front parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM238,888✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | B-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 1,490 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 90 hp at 5,500 rpm | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 120 Nm at 3,600 rpm | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 80.5 mm × 97.6 mm | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 12 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 93 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 185 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | E-CVT | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,190 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,825 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,580 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 36 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 315 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop Enasave ECC300+ | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion beam | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Cushion Bag) | 7 (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 on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with nanoe Ioniser | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 4 USB-C Ports, 2 12V sockets | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 9.8" Multimedia Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon 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 Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on hybrid battery | — |
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 LBX & Outback for sale
LBX vs Outback FAQ
Is the Lexus LBX or Subaru Outback better?
The LBX is the better choice for lower ownership costs and compact city use. The Outback is better for buyers needing all-wheel drive, 522 litres of boot space and a larger 4,870 mm body.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, which is RM40,112 more than the RM238,888 Lexus LBX. Its annual road tax is also RM878, compared with RM120 for the LBX.
Which has the larger boot?
The Subaru Outback has the larger boot at 522 litres. The Lexus LBX provides 315 litres, leaving the Outback with a 207-litre advantage for luggage or bulky loads.
