Verdict
At RM252,800, the BMW iX1 L costs RM3,912 more than the RM248,888 Volvo EC40, yet the Volvo brings 235 hp, 420 Nm and all-wheel drive against the BMW’s 201 hp, 250 Nm and front-wheel drive. Its 70 kWh battery also claims 488 km, 55 km farther than the iX1 L, while 200 kW DC charging beats 130 kW. The BMW answers with a larger 490-litre boot, 77 litres more, plus a 2,802 mm wheelbase and head-up display. For Malaysian EV buyers, the EC40 is the stronger long-distance and performance case; the iX1 L suits those carrying more luggage.
Pick the BMW iX1 L if you need the larger 490-litre boot, a 2,802 mm wheelbase and a head-up display.
Pick the Volvo EC40 if you want 488 km claimed range, 200 kW DC charging, all-wheel drive and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 L RM252,800; Volvo EC40 RM248,888.
- Output: BMW iX1 L 201 hp and 250 Nm; Volvo EC40 235 hp and 420 Nm.
- Range and battery: BMW iX1 L 433 km from 66.5 kWh; Volvo EC40 488 km from 70 kWh.
- DC charging: BMW iX1 L 130 kW; Volvo EC40 200 kW.
- 0-100 km/h and driveline: BMW iX1 L 8.6 seconds, front-wheel drive; Volvo EC40 7.3 seconds, all-wheel drive.
- Boot space and warranty: BMW iX1 L 490 litres and two years; Volvo EC40 413 litres and five years.
iX1 L
- 490-litre boot, 77 litres larger than the EC40's
- Head-up display
- 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
- 433 km range trails the EC40 by 55 km
- 130 kW DC charging is 70 kW below the EC40
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
EC40
- 488 km claimed EV range
- 200 kW DC charging and 70 kWh battery
- 235 hp, 420 Nm all-wheel-drive drivetrain
- 413-litre boot is 77 litres smaller than the iX1 L's
- No head-up display
- No sunroof shade
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800 | RM248,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM220 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | 235 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | 70 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 433 km | 488 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | 200 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | 7.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,616 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,873 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,582 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,802 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,185 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 413 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental EcoContact 6 VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sports Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Electronic 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 2 Outer Rear 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 with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Fixed Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1x 12V in front, 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 9" Portrait Android Automotive OS Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 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 & EC40 for sale
iX1 L vs EC40 FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 L or Volvo EC40 better?
The Volvo EC40 is the better performance and long-distance EV on these figures: 235 hp, 420 Nm, all-wheel drive, 488 km range and 200 kW DC charging. Choose the BMW iX1 L for its 490-litre boot, head-up display and 40:20:40 rear-seat split.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 L costs RM252,800 and the Volvo EC40 costs RM248,888, so the BMW is RM3,912 more expensive.
Which one charges faster?
The Volvo EC40 charges faster on DC power, with a 200 kW maximum versus 130 kW for the BMW iX1 L. Both have 11 kW AC charging.