Verdict
The BMW iX1 costs RM28,111 more, but its 204 hp, 250 Nm electric motor cuts 0-100 km/h to 8.6 seconds and brings RM160 annual road tax, versus the Forester’s 9.7 seconds and RM838. Its 66.5 kWh battery claims 475 km of range, with 11 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging for buyers able to charge regularly. The Subaru counters with all-wheel drive, a 63-litre petrol tank, 496-litre boot and a five-year/100,000 km warranty. Pick the BMW for EV running costs and richer driver aids; the Subaru makes more sense without dependable charging.
Pick the BMW iX1 if home or workplace charging suits your routine and you want quicker 8.6-second performance, 475 km claimed EV range and a head-up display.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need all-wheel drive, a 63-litre petrol tank, a space-saver spare tyre and five years of manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 RM250,800; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Powertrain: BMW iX1 204 hp/250 Nm single electric motor; Subaru Forester 182 hp/247 Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine.
- Driveline: BMW iX1 front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX1 8.6 seconds; Subaru Forester 9.7 seconds.
- Road tax: BMW iX1 RM160 per year; Subaru Forester RM838 per year.
- Warranty: BMW iX1 two years 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 and far lower RM160 road tax.
- Head-up display, navigation and Parking Assistant Plus.
- RM28,111 dearer than the Forester.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years/100,000 km.
Forester
- All-wheel drive, SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- Five-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty and space-saver spare tyre.
- Slightly larger 496-litre boot and 63-litre fuel tank.
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM160 for the iX1.
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- No head-up display, navigation or auto parking listed.
| 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 | 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 & Forester for sale
iX1 vs Forester FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 or Subaru Forester better?
The iX1 is better for drivers with regular charging: it is quicker, has 475 km claimed range and costs RM160 yearly in road tax. The Forester is better for all-wheel-drive traction, petrol refuelling flexibility and its five-year/100,000 km warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 is RM250,800 and the Subaru Forester is RM222,689, so the BMW costs RM28,111 more.
Which has more luggage space, the BMW iX1 or Subaru Forester?
The Subaru Forester has the larger boot by 6 litres, at 496 litres versus 490 litres for the BMW iX1. The Forester also includes a space-saver spare tyre.