Verdict
The RM27,800 gap buys the BMW iX1 L a 66.5-kWh battery, 433 km EV range and 130-kW DC charging, so it suits drivers able to charge regularly. Its 201-hp motor also gives a quoted 0-100 km/h time of 8.6 seconds. But the Hyundai Santa Fe is the more useful family SUV: it has seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 67-litre fuel tank, against the BMW’s five seats and 490 litres. The Hyundai is also 214 mm longer, though its 1.49-kWh hybrid battery cannot replace the BMW’s EV range.
Pick the BMW iX1 L if home or workplace charging is available and you want 433 km of electric range, 130-kW DC charging and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if seven seats, a 628-litre boot, third-row USB-C ports and the lower RM225,000 entry price matter more than EV-only driving.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 L RM252,800; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000.
- Seating and boot space: BMW iX1 L has 5 seats and 490 litres; Hyundai Santa Fe has 7 seats and 628 litres.
- Electric battery and range: BMW iX1 L has a 66.5-kWh battery and 433 km range; Hyundai Santa Fe has a 1.49-kWh battery and no EV range stated.
- Size: BMW iX1 L is 4,616 mm long and 1,845 mm wide; Hyundai Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long and 1,900 mm wide.
- Audio: BMW iX1 L gets a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system; Hyundai Santa Fe gets 6 speakers.
- Warranty: BMW iX1 L has 2 years with unlimited mileage plus an 8-year/160,000-km battery warranty; Hyundai Santa Fe has 8 years/160,000 km.
iX1 L
- 433 km EV range from a 66.5-kWh battery
- 130-kW DC and 11-kW AC charging
- Adaptive LED projectors, head-up display and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Costs RM27,800 more
- Only 5 seats and a 490-litre boot versus 7 seats and 628 litres
- Smaller footprint: 4,616 mm long versus 4,830 mm
Santa Fe
- Seven seats and a 628-litre boot
- 67-litre fuel tank and 1.6-litre turbo hybrid powertrain
- Third-row USB-C ports, rear blower controls and rear window shades
- No stated EV range or AC/DC charging capability versus the BMW’s 433 km, 11-kW AC and 130-kW DC figures
- 6-speaker audio versus the BMW’s 12-speaker Harman Kardon system
- LED reflector headlamps and no head-up display, against BMW adaptive LED projectors and a HUD
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800 | RM225,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 177 hp |
| Torque | — | 265 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp✓ | 64 hp |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | 264 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh✓ | 1.49 kWh |
| EV Range | 433 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,616 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,802 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 9 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker 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 Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 8 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 iX1 L & Santa Fe for sale
iX1 L vs Santa Fe FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 L or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The Santa Fe is better for carrying people and luggage, with seven seats and 628 litres of boot space. The iX1 L is better for drivers who can charge, providing 433 km of EV range and 130-kW DC charging.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 L costs RM252,800 and the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, so the BMW is RM27,800 more expensive.
Which one is better for long family trips?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the clearer long-trip family choice because it has seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 67-litre fuel tank. The BMW iX1 L has five seats and 490 litres, but provides 433 km of EV range.