Verdict
The BMW iX1 costs RM250,800, RM28,111 more than the RM222,689 Subaru Forester, but its 204 hp, 250 Nm electric motor cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 8.6 seconds against 9.7 seconds. Its 66.5 kWh battery claims 475 km of range and accepts 11 kW AC or 130 kW DC charging, while annual road tax is only RM160 versus the Forester’s RM838. The Subaru counters with all-wheel drive, a 63-litre petrol tank, 496-litre boot and five-year warranty. Choose based on dependable charging access, not just the lower road tax.
Pick the BMW iX1 if you can charge regularly and want 475 km claimed EV range, quicker 8.6-second acceleration and richer parking and infotainment equipment.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need all-wheel drive, a 63-litre petrol tank, five-year warranty and a lower upfront price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 RM250,800; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Powertrain: BMW iX1 has one 204 hp/250 Nm electric motor; Subaru Forester has a 2,498 cc 182 hp/247 Nm petrol engine.
- Acceleration: BMW iX1 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds; Subaru Forester in 9.7 seconds.
- Annual road tax: BMW iX1 RM160; Subaru Forester RM838.
- Driveline: BMW iX1 front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive.
- Warranty: BMW iX1 two years with unlimited mileage; Subaru Forester five years/100,000 km.
iX1
- 475 km claimed range with 11 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging.
- Quicker 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 360-degree camera, Parking Assistant Plus, head-up display and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years/100,000 km.
- 490-litre boot is 6 litres smaller than the Forester’s.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- Five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- Slightly larger 496-litre boot and space-saver spare tyre.
- RM838 annual road tax is RM678 higher than the iX1’s.
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- No front parking sensors, auto parking, head-up display or navigation.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM250,800 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 182 hp |
| Torque | — | 247 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 204 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 475 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 205 km/h✓ |
| 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 |
| Weight | 2,085 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front, front-side, rear | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | 2 on outer rear seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Front Collision Warning | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Yes | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Driving Assistant Plus | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Electric Seat Adjustment with Memory for Driver | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60/40 split | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | Front 12V, Qi Wireless charging tray | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | Dual front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Yes | — |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker, 464W Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Yes | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Electric | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes with 360 view | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant Plus | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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 & Forester for sale
iX1 vs Forester FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 or Subaru Forester better?
The iX1 is better for drivers with regular charging access who want lower road tax, 475 km claimed range and quicker acceleration. The Forester is the better fit for all-wheel drive, petrol refuelling and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 costs RM28,111 more than the Subaru Forester.
Which one has lower annual road tax?
The BMW iX1 has lower annual road tax at RM160, compared with RM838 for the Subaru Forester.