Verdict
The BN is the rational outgoing choice at RM218,488: it is 132 kg lighter, has the same 2,745 mm wheelbase and five seats, and its 173 hp boxer reaches 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds. The BT costs RM60,512 more at RM279,000, but brings 185 hp, 245 Nm, 9.6-second acceleration and far more driver assistance, including autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. For Malaysian long-distance use, its 11.6-inch screen, 360-degree camera and powered front-passenger seat make the newer car materially easier to live with.
Pick the Subaru Outback BN if you want the lower RM218,488 entry price, a 1,624 kg kerb weight and a five-star EuroNCAP rating.
Pick the Subaru Outback BT if you will pay RM60,512 more for stronger performance, active safety assistance and substantially newer cabin tech.
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.
- Acceleration and top speed: Subaru Outback BN 0-100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and 198 km/h; Subaru Outback BT 9.6 seconds and 206 km/h.
- Size and weight: Subaru Outback BN is 4,815 mm long and 1,624 kg; Subaru Outback BT is 4,870 mm long and 1,756 kg.
- Boot and fuel tank: Subaru Outback BN has 512 litres and 60 litres; Subaru Outback BT has 522 litres and 63 litres.
- Driver assistance: Subaru Outback BN has no lane-keeping assist or autonomous braking; Subaru Outback BT has steering correction and autonomous braking.
BN
- RM60,512 less expensive.
- 132 kg lighter at 1,624 kg.
- Five-star EuroNCAP rating.
- 173 hp and 235 Nm trail the BT's 185 hp and 245 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot information system or adaptive cruise control.
BT
- 185 hp, 245 Nm and a 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot information system and adaptive cruise control.
- 11.6-inch touchscreen, 360-degree camera and powered front-passenger seat.
- Costs RM60,512 more.
- Weighs 1,756 kg, 132 kg more than the BN.
| 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 at 5,800 rpm | 185 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 235 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 245 Nm at 3,400 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Boxer 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 94 mm × 89.9 mm | 94 mm × 90 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 | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 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 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 quicker, with 185 hp, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The BN is the better buy if its RM60,512 lower price matters more than the newer car's safety and convenience equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru Outback BT costs RM60,512 more than the Subaru Outback BN: RM279,000 versus RM218,488.
Which Outback has the better safety assistance package?
The Subaru Outback BT does. It adds autonomous braking, collision warning, blind-spot information, steering correction and adaptive cruise control; the BN has none of those listed systems.
