Verdict
At RM250,800, the BMW iX1 costs RM25,800 more than the RM225,000 Hyundai Santa Fe, but it is a five-seat EV with a 66.5 kWh battery, 475 km claimed range and 130 kW DC charging. The Santa Fe is the more useful Malaysian family car: it has seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a 67-litre fuel tank, against the iX1’s 490 litres. The BMW is 330 mm shorter and easier to place, while adding a head-up display, Parking Assistant Plus and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system. Choose by charging access and passenger count, not badge alone.
Pick the BMW iX1 if home or workplace charging suits your routine and you want 475 km EV range, a head-up display and automated parking in a more compact 4,500 mm SUV.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and a lower RM225,000 entry price for family trips without relying on EV charging.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 RM250,800; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000.
- Powertrain and energy storage: BMW iX1 has a 204 hp, 250 Nm motor and 66.5 kWh battery; Hyundai Santa Fe has a 177 hp, 265 Nm 1.
- Range and charging: BMW iX1 claims 475 km range with 11 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging; Hyundai Santa Fe has no EV range or charging rate stated.
- Size: BMW iX1 is 4,500 mm long with a 2,692 mm wheelbase; Hyundai Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long with a 2,815 mm wheelbase.
- Seating and boot: BMW iX1 has five seats and 490 litres; Hyundai Santa Fe has seven seats and 628 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW iX1 has two years with unlimited mileage; Hyundai Santa Fe has eight years or 160,000 km.
iX1
- 475 km EV range from a 66.5 kWh battery, plus 130 kW DC charging.
- Head-up display, Parking Assistant Plus and 16-speaker 464W Harman Kardon audio.
- 330 mm shorter than the Santa Fe, with Adaptive M Suspension.
- RM25,800 dearer than the Santa Fe.
- Five seats and a 490-litre boot trail the Santa Fe’s seven seats and 628 litres.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Santa Fe’s eight-year/160,000 km cover.
Santa Fe
- Seven seats, including a 50:50 split-folding last row, and a 628-litre boot.
- RM225,000 price and eight-year/160,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- Rear blower controls, third-row USB-C ports and rear window shades suit family use.
- No head-up display, where the iX1 gets one.
- No auto-parking system, unlike the iX1’s Parking Assistant Plus.
- Six-speaker audio trails the iX1’s 16-speaker 464W Harman Kardon system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM250,800 | RM225,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 177 hp |
| Torque | — | 265 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 75.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 204 hp✓ | 64 hp |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | 264 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh✓ | 1.49 kWh |
| EV Range | 475 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Weight | 2,085 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 67 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front, front-side, rear | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | 2 on outer rear seats | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Front Collision Warning | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Yes | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Driving Assistant Plus | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Electric Seat Adjustment with Memory for Driver | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60/40 split | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Power Sockets | Front 12V, Qi Wireless charging tray | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | Dual front | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Yes | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker, 464W Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Yes | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Electric | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes with 360 view | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant Plus | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 8 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | Add RM13,430 for 5 year warranty and service package, 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 & Santa Fe for sale
iX1 vs Santa Fe FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The Santa Fe is better for seven occupants and luggage, with seven seats and a 628-litre boot. The iX1 is better for a charging-ready five-seat household wanting 475 km EV range, 130 kW DC charging, a head-up display and auto parking.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 costs RM250,800 and the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, so the iX1 is RM25,800 more expensive.
Which is better for a large family?
The Hyundai Santa Fe. It provides seven seats, a 628-litre boot, third-row USB-C ports and rear air-con blower controls. The BMW iX1 has five seats and a 490-litre boot.