Verdict
These are radically different answers to all-wheel-drive motoring. The GR Yaris is the performance pick: 296 hp and 400 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 5.2 seconds, against the Outback’s 185 hp, 245 Nm and 9.6 seconds. But for Malaysian family use, the Subaru’s five seats, five doors and 522-litre boot dwarf the Toyota’s four seats, two doors and 174 litres. The Outback also brings seven airbags and lane-keeping steering correction, although its RM878 annual road tax is far above the GR Yaris’ RM207.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need five-seat, five-door practicality, a 522-litre boot and more comprehensive family-oriented equipment.
Pick the Toyota GR Yaris if a 296 hp, 400 Nm turbo engine, six-speed manual and 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time matter more than passenger and cargo space.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Toyota GR Yaris RM315,600.
- Power and torque: Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; GR Yaris 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Outback 9.6 seconds; GR Yaris 5.2 seconds.
- Practicality: Outback has five seats and a 522-litre boot; GR Yaris has four seats and 174 litres.
- Size: Outback is 4,870 mm long; GR Yaris is 3,995 mm long.
- Annual road tax: Outback RM878; GR Yaris RM207.
Outback
- 522-litre boot, five seats and five doors.
- Seven airbags and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Powered front seats, rear air-con vents and a 360-degree camera.
- 185 hp and 245 Nm trail the GR Yaris’ 296 hp and 400 Nm.
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 4.4 seconds behind the GR Yaris.
- RM878 annual road tax versus RM207.
GR Yaris
- 296 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Six-speed manual with rev matching, Torsen front and rear limited-slip differentials.
- RM207 annual road tax.
- Four seats, two doors and a 174-litre boot versus the Outback’s five seats, five doors and 522 litres.
- Six airbags versus seven in the Outback.
- Lane-keeping gives a warning only, where the Outback provides steering correction.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000✓ | RM315,600 |
| Body type | Wagon | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM207✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,618 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm | 296 hp at 6,200 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm | 400 Nm at 3,250 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Inline 3 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 90 mm | 87 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | 6MT |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 5.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h | 230 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,805 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,455 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,560 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | 1,280 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 174 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 225/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 225/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Torsen Front and Rear Limited-slip Differential, Performance-tuned Springs, Dampers and Steering, User-selectable Torque Split, Rev Matching |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (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 | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| 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 AC vents | — |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 7" Touchscreen Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI, AUX and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| 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.
Used Outback & GR Yaris for sale
Outback vs GR Yaris FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Toyota GR Yaris better?
The Outback is better for family carrying, with five seats and a 522-litre boot. The GR Yaris is better for outright performance, producing 296 hp and reaching 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Yaris costs RM315,600 and the Subaru Outback costs RM279,000, so the GR Yaris is RM36,600 more expensive.
Which is more practical for daily use?
The Subaru Outback is markedly more practical: it has five doors, five seats, a 522-litre boot, rear air-con vents and four power windows. The GR Yaris has two doors, four seats and 174 litres of boot space.
