Verdict
At RM252,800, the BMW iX1 L undercuts the Subaru WRX by RM33,445 and feels the more family-friendly C-segment choice on paper: 433 km EV range, 490 litres of boot space, rear air vents and a long active safety list. The WRX answers with a 271 hp/375 Nm 2.4 turbo flat-four, six-speed manual and all-wheel drive, so it is the keener driver’s car by spec. But it costs more to tax yearly, and its 411-litre boot is smaller.
Pick the BMW iX1 L if you want the cheaper, roomier electric SUV with stronger listed driver assistance and lower annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want a manual petrol sedan with all-wheel drive and much higher listed power and torque.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 L RM252,800; Subaru WRX RM286,245
- Power and torque: BMW iX1 L 201 hp/250 Nm motor; Subaru WRX 271 hp/375 Nm 2.4 turbo flat-four
- Driveline and transmission: BMW iX1 L front-wheel drive single-speed auto; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive six-speed manual
- Boot space: BMW iX1 L 490 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres
- Wheelbase: BMW iX1 L 2,802 mm; Subaru WRX 2,672 mm
- Road tax: BMW iX1 L RM160 per year; Subaru WRX RM767 per year
iX1 L
- RM33,445 cheaper to buy
- 433 km EV range, 66.5 kWh battery and up to 130 kW DC charging
- Bigger 490-litre boot, rear air vents and powered tailgate
- Lower output: 201 hp and 250 Nm versus 271 hp and 375 Nm
- Front-wheel drive only, while the Subaru gets all-wheel drive
- Standard manufacturer warranty is 2 years versus 5 years, though mileage is unlimited and the battery has 8-year/160,000 km cover
WRX
- Stronger 271 hp and 375 Nm petrol turbo flat-four
- Six-speed manual with all-wheel drive
- Longer 5-year manufacturer warranty
- RM33,445 more expensive to buy
- Higher annual road tax at RM767 versus RM160
- Smaller 411-litre boot and no rear air vents listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 252,800✓ | RM 286,245 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 271 hp |
| Torque | — | 375 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Flat 4 |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| 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 | 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 160✓ | RM 767 |
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 WRX FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 L or Subaru WRX better?
The BMW iX1 L is better for most daily Malaysian use: it is cheaper, has a bigger boot, lower road tax and more listed driver assistance. The Subaru WRX is better if manual shifting, all-wheel drive and stronger output matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM33,445 more than the BMW iX1 L.
Which car is more practical for family use?
The BMW iX1 L is more practical on paper, with 490 litres of boot space, five doors, rear air vents and a 2,802 mm wheelbase. The Subaru WRX has 411 litres, four doors and a 2,672 mm wheelbase.