Verdict
At RM188,648, the Mazda 6 Grand Touring is the sharper value play: its 185 hp, 250 Nm 2.5-litre four drives the front wheels to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, 1.4 seconds ahead of the Outback, while carrying the same 522-litre boot. The Subaru Outback costs RM90,352 more, but that money brings all-wheel drive, 7 airbags, autonomous braking, steering correction, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. For Malaysian buyers who mainly cover tarmac, the Mazda’s 250 kg lower kerb weight and 19-inch wheels make the stronger case; choose the Subaru for its safety suite and extra traction.
Pick the Mazda 6 Grand Touring if you want the quicker 8.2-second wagon with the same 522-litre boot for RM90,352 less.
Pick the Subaru Outback if all-wheel drive, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and a five-year warranty matter more than outright pace and price.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 6 Grand Touring RM188,648; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Performance: Mazda reaches 0-100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and 218 km/h; Subaru takes 9.6 seconds and reaches 206 km/h.
- Driveline and weight: Mazda is front-wheel drive and 1,506 kg; Subaru is all-wheel drive and 1,756 kg.
- Safety: Mazda has 6 airbags and no autonomous braking; Subaru has 7 airbags and autonomous braking.
- Dimensions: Mazda is 4,800 mm long and 1,480 mm tall; Subaru is 4,870 mm long and 1,682 mm tall.
- Warranty: Mazda covers 3 years/100,000 km; Subaru covers 5 years/100,000 km.
6 Grand Touring
- RM90,352 lower purchase price
- Quicker 8.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- 250 Nm torque and 250 kg lower weight
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assistance
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- Shorter three-year warranty
Outback
- All-wheel drive
- Autonomous braking, steering correction and adaptive cruise control
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty
- RM90,352 more expensive
- Slower 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- 250 kg heavier despite the same 522-litre boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM188,648✓ | RM279,000 |
| Body type | Wagon | Wagon |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM868✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp at 5,700 rpm | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 3,250 rpm✓ | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 89 mm × 100 mm | 94 mm × 90 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 12 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | Lineartronic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.2 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 218 km/h✓ | 206 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,800 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,480 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,506 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 62 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres | 522 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | 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 | Power Adjustable 8-way Driver's Seat with Memory, Power Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | 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 | 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 | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 front, 2 rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | Touch-screen with radio, CD, MP3, AUX, USB and Bluetooth, 11 speakers | 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | 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 | — | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 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 6 Grand Touring & Outback for sale
6 Grand Touring vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mazda 6 Grand Touring or Subaru Outback better?
The Mazda is better for value and performance, reaching 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds versus 9.6 seconds. The Outback is better if you prioritise all-wheel drive and its fuller active-safety suite, including autonomous braking.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM90,352 more than the Mazda 6 Grand Touring: RM279,000 versus RM188,648.
Which wagon has the better safety equipment?
The Subaru Outback has the stronger safety specification, with 7 airbags, autonomous braking, collision warning, steering correction and an all-seat belt reminder. The Mazda has 6 airbags, stability control and blind-spot monitoring, but lacks those driver-assistance functions.
