BMW iX1 L vs Subaru Forester
Verdict
The BMW iX1 L costs RM252,800 against the Subaru Forester’s RM222,689, so the gap is RM30,111. For that, the BMW gives you EV running, 201 hp/250 Nm, a 433 km range, 130 kW DC charging, quicker 0-100 km/h pace at 8.6 seconds and richer cabin tech such as a head-up display and Harman Kardon audio. The Forester fights back with all-wheel drive, a higher 205 km/h top speed, a slightly bigger boot and a longer 5-year manufacturer warranty.
iX1 L
Pick the BMW iX1 L if you want the quicker EV with 433 km range, lower RM160 road tax and more cabin tech.
Forester
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want petrol simplicity, all-wheel drive, X-Mode and a lower RM222,689 starting price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 L RM252,800; Subaru Forester RM222,689
- Powertrain: BMW iX1 L electric motor with 201 hp/250 Nm; Subaru Forester 2.5-litre petrol with 182 hp/247 Nm
- Driven wheels: BMW iX1 L front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX1 L 8.6 seconds; Subaru Forester 9.7 seconds
- Boot space: BMW iX1 L 490 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres
- Road tax: BMW iX1 L RM160 a year; Subaru Forester RM838 a year
iX1 L
- Quicker 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- 433 km EV range with 130 kW DC charging
- Head-up display, navigation and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Costs RM30,111 more
- Front-wheel drive only versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive
- Lower 175 km/h top speed
Forester
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode
- Lower purchase price
- 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher RM838 annual road tax
- No head-up display or built-in navigation listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 252,800 | RM 222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 182 hp |
| Torque | — | 247 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Boxer |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 433 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,616 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,802 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 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 | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 9 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 160✓ | RM 838 |
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.
iX1 L vs Forester FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 L or Subaru Forester better?
The BMW iX1 L is better for EV running, acceleration and cabin tech. The Subaru Forester is better if you want all-wheel drive, petrol refuelling and a lower purchase price.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 L is RM30,111 dearer, at RM252,800 versus RM222,689 for the Subaru Forester.
Which one is quicker?
The BMW iX1 L is quicker from 0-100 km/h at 8.6 seconds. The Subaru Forester takes 9.7 seconds, but has the higher top speed at 205 km/h versus 175 km/h.