BMW iX1 vs Subaru Forester
Verdict
At RM250,800 against RM222,689, the BMW iX1 asks RM28,111 more and gives you an EV drivetrain: 204 hp, 475 km of range and a quicker 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time. The Subaru Forester counters with petrol all-wheel drive, eight airbags, a five-year warranty and a higher 205 km/h top speed. Space is very close: 490 litres plays 496 litres. For Malaysia, the road tax split is blunt too, RM160 versus RM838 a year.
Pick the BMW iX1 if you want the EV, quicker 8.6-second acceleration, 475 km range and much lower RM160 annual road tax.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want petrol, all-wheel drive, more airbags, a longer warranty and the lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 RM250,800; Subaru Forester RM222,689
- Fuel and drive: BMW iX1 electric front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester petrol all-wheel drive
- Power and 0-100 km/h: BMW iX1 204 hp and 8.6 s; Subaru Forester 182 hp and 9.7 s
- Energy: BMW iX1 66.5 kWh battery and 475 km EV range; Subaru Forester 63-litre fuel tank
- Size and boot: BMW iX1 4,500 mm long and 490 L; Subaru Forester 4,655 mm long and 496 L
- Safety and warranty: BMW iX1 6 airbags and 2-year warranty; Subaru Forester 8 airbags and 5-year warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 250,800 | RM 222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Single motor | 2,498 cc |
| Power | 204 hp✓ | 182 hp |
| Torque | — | 247 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.6 s✓ | 9.7 s |
| Top speed | 170 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV range | 475 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Boot space | 490 L | 496 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | — | 63 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 8✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 160✓ | RM 838 |
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
- Quicker 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- 475 km EV range from a 66.5 kWh battery
- RM160 annual road tax
- Costs RM28,111 more
- Front-wheel drive only
- Shorter 2-year warranty
Forester
- All-wheel drive
- Eight airbags
- Longer 5-year warranty
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher RM838 annual road tax
- Less power at 182 hp
iX1 vs Forester FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 or Subaru Forester better?
The BMW iX1 is better for EV range, acceleration and road tax. The Subaru Forester is better if you want petrol, all-wheel drive, more airbags, a longer warranty and a lower price.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 costs RM250,800, while the Subaru Forester costs RM222,689. That makes the BMW RM28,111 more expensive.
Which one has more space?
The Subaru Forester is longer and taller, at 4,655 mm and 1,730 mm, and has a 496-litre boot. The BMW iX1 is wider, has a longer wheelbase and carries 490 litres.