Verdict
At RM252,800, the BMW iX1 L costs RM33,445 less than the RM286,245 Subaru WRX, while its RM160 annual road tax is RM607 below the WRX’s RM767. For daily Malaysian use, the BMW’s 66.5-kWh battery, quoted 433-km range, 490-litre boot and 2,802-mm wheelbase make the stronger practical case. The WRX answers with 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, but gives up 79 litres of boot space and a good deal of driver assistance. Pick the Subaru only if the manual drivetrain is central to the purchase.
Pick the BMW iX1 L if you want lower upfront and annual road-tax costs, a 433-km EV range and more family-friendly space.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want its 271-hp turbo petrol power, all-wheel drive and six-speed manual gearbox.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 L RM252,800; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Road tax: BMW iX1 L RM160/year; Subaru WRX RM767/year.
- Powertrain output: BMW iX1 L 201 hp and 250 Nm from one motor; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: BMW iX1 L front-wheel drive single-ratio automatic; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive six-speed manual.
- Range or fuel storage: BMW iX1 L 66.5-kWh battery and 433-km range; Subaru WRX 63-litre petrol tank.
- Boot space: BMW iX1 L 490 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres.
iX1 L
- RM33,445 cheaper to buy with RM607 lower annual road tax.
- 433-km quoted range, with 11-kW AC and 130-kW DC charging.
- 490-litre boot, 40:20:40 rear seats and a 2,802-mm wheelbase.
- Front-wheel drive versus the WRX’s all-wheel drive.
- 201 hp and 250 Nm trail the WRX’s 271 hp and 375 Nm.
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
- All-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.
- Double-wishbone rear suspension and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Costs RM33,445 more and its annual road tax is RM607 higher.
- 411-litre boot is 79 litres smaller than the BMW’s.
- No blind-spot information system, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800✓ | RM286,245 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 271 hp |
| Torque | — | 375 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 433 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,616 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,802 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| 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 | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Manual Adjustment |
| 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 | — |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| 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's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| 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 | — |
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 & WRX for sale
iX1 L vs WRX FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 L or Subaru WRX better?
The BMW iX1 L is the better daily-use choice: it is cheaper, has RM160 annual road tax, a quoted 433-km range and a 490-litre boot. The Subaru WRX is better for buyers who specifically want 271 hp, all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 L is RM33,445 cheaper. It costs RM252,800, while the Subaru WRX costs RM286,245.
Which has more practical space, the BMW iX1 L or Subaru WRX?
The BMW iX1 L is more practical on the available figures. Its boot holds 490 litres against 411 litres for the WRX, and its 2,802-mm wheelbase is 130 mm longer than the Subaru’s 2,672 mm.