Verdict
The RM279,000 Outback costs RM88,340 more than the RM190,660 Tayron, a substantial Malaysian-family premium before its RM878 annual road tax versus RM120. Subaru counters with 185 hp, AWD and a 522-litre boot, but it remains a five-seater. The locally assembled Tayron brings seven seats, 250 Nm from 1,500 rpm, nine airbags and a 2,790-mm wheelbase, while matching the Outback’s 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 148 hp and FWD layout make the Subaru the choice for buyers who prioritise traction and cargo rather than extra seats.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need AWD, 185 hp and the larger 522-litre boot, and can accept five seats and higher ownership costs.
Pick the Volkswagen Tayron if seven seats, a RM88,340 lower entry price, lower road tax and a longer 2,790-mm wheelbase matter more than AWD.
Key differences
- Price: Subaru Outback RM279,000; Volkswagen Tayron RM190,660.
- Annual road tax: Subaru Outback RM878; Volkswagen Tayron RM120.
- Seating: Subaru Outback 5 seats; Volkswagen Tayron 7 seats.
- Boot space: Subaru Outback 522 litres; Volkswagen Tayron 345 litres.
- Power and torque: Subaru Outback 185 hp and 245 Nm; Volkswagen Tayron 148 hp and 250 Nm.
- Warranty: Subaru Outback 5 years/100,000 km; Volkswagen Tayron 2 years/unlimited mileage.
Outback
- AWD driveline with 185 hp.
- Larger 522-litre boot.
- Five-year, 100,000-km warranty and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- Costs RM88,340 more and incurs RM758 more annual road tax.
- Has five seats to the Tayron’s seven.
- Carries 245 Nm versus the Tayron’s 250 Nm.
Tayron
- Seven seats with sliding 40:20:40 second row and 50:50 third row.
- 250 Nm arrives at 1,500 rpm.
- Nine airbags, ventilated and massaging front seats, plus auto parking.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Outback’s all-wheel drive.
- 148 hp is 37 hp down on the Outback.
- 345-litre boot is 177 litres smaller than the Outback’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM279,000 | RM190,660✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM878 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing with 48-volt MHEV assistance |
| Capacity | 2,498 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm | 250 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 90 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Lineartronic CVT | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.6 seconds | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 206 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,870 mm | 4,792 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,682 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,745 mm | 2,790 mm |
| Weight | 1,756 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 345 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225.60R18 | 235/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 | Hankook Ventus evoSUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-links |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Napoli Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Dynamic Chassis Control Pro |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front & Rear Side Bags, Curtain Airbags & Front Centre Airbag) |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Front Passenger Seat and 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| 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 | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilation and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Back Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Manual Rear Window Blinds |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.9" Discover Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 8-speaker Volkswagen 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 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 | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Backlit Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 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 & Tayron for sale
Outback vs Tayron FAQ
Is the Subaru Outback or Volkswagen Tayron better?
The Tayron is the stronger family-value pick: it has seven seats, nine airbags, lower road tax and costs RM88,340 less. Choose the Outback instead for AWD, 185 hp and its much larger 522-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback costs RM88,340 more than the Volkswagen Tayron. The annual road-tax gap is RM758, with the Outback at RM878 and the Tayron at RM120.
Which has more space for passengers and luggage?
The Volkswagen Tayron carries seven people against the Outback’s five and has a 2,790-mm wheelbase versus 2,745 mm. The Outback has the larger listed boot, at 522 litres against 345 litres.
