BMW iX1 L vs Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric
Verdict
The BMW iX1 L is the calmer numbers car: longer at 4,616 mm, with a 2,802 mm wheelbase, 490-litre boot, 433 km range and RM160 annual road tax. The Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric hits much harder, with dual motors, 402 hp, AWD and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time, but range is 418 km and road tax is RM545 a year. For Malaysia, this is space and running cost against pace and warranty cover.
Pick the BMW iX1 L if you want the longer cabin footprint, bigger boot, longer claimed range and lower annual road tax.
Pick the Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric if you want dual-motor AWD performance, far quicker acceleration and a longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 L RM252,800; Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric RM278,888
- Motor and drive: BMW single motor FWD; Volvo dual motor AWD
- Power and 0-100 km/h: BMW 201 hp and 8.6 s; Volvo 402 hp and 4.9 s
- Battery and range: BMW 66.5 kWh and 433 km; Volvo 78.0 kWh and 418 km
- Size and boot: BMW 4,616 mm long with 490 L; Volvo 4,425 mm long with 460 L
- Warranty and road tax: BMW 2 years and RM160/year; Volvo 5 years and RM545/year
iX1 L
- Longer 2,802 mm wheelbase
- Bigger 490-litre boot
- Lower RM160 annual road tax
- Much slower 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Single motor FWD only
- Shorter 2-year warranty
XC40 Recharge Electric
- 402 hp dual-motor output
- AWD and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h pace
- Longer 5-year warranty
- Shorter 418 km claimed range
- Smaller 460-litre boot
- Higher RM545 annual road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 252,800✓ | RM 278,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | Dual electric permanent magnet synchron front and rear motors |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | 402 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | 660 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | 78.0 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 433 km✓ | 418 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11.0 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | CCS2 |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | 150.0 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 | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,616 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,802 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,150 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Pirelli P Zero Elect |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| 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 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 | Power Safety Lock for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED With Bulb Brake Lamps |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 2 Front, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient 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 | 9" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Android Automotive Operating System and 14-speaker, 600-watt Harman Kardon 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 Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| 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 Traction Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 160✓ | RM 545 |
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 XC40 Recharge Electric FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 L or Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric better?
The BMW iX1 L is better for range, boot space and lower road tax. The Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric is better for performance, AWD grip and warranty cover. Choose by priority, because their strengths are very different.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric costs RM26,088 more than the BMW iX1 L, at RM278,888 versus RM252,800.
Which one has the longer EV range?
The BMW iX1 L has the longer claimed range at 433 km. The Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric is rated at 418 km, despite using a larger 78.0 kWh battery.