BMW iX2 vs Subaru WRX
Verdict
This is a very tight price match: the BMW iX2 is RM2,445 cheaper yet brings two electric motors, 308 hp, 494 Nm and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time. It also gets 417 km of range, 130 kW DC charging, a bigger 525-litre boot and more driver assistance. The Subaru WRX fights back with a 2.4-litre turbo flat-four, 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. For a Malaysian buyer, this is EV speed and equipment against petrol manual character.
Pick the BMW iX2 if you want the quicker, better-equipped AWD car with EV running, a bigger boot and lower RM335 road tax.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want a turbo petrol C-segment sedan with a six-speed manual, all-wheel drive and a five-year factory warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX2 RM283,800; Subaru WRX RM286,245
- Power and torque: BMW iX2 308 hp/494 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp/375 Nm
- Energy/fuel: BMW iX2 64.7 kWh battery with 417 km range; Subaru WRX 63-litre petrol tank
- Boot capacity: BMW iX2 525 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres
- Size: BMW iX2 4,554 mm long/1,590 mm tall; Subaru WRX 4,669 mm long/1,468 mm tall
- Road tax: BMW iX2 RM335 a year; Subaru WRX RM767 a year
iX2
- Stronger outputs at 308 hp and 494 Nm
- 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time is clearly stated
- Bigger 525-litre boot, rear air vents and powered hands-free boot
- No spare wheel; it gets a tyre repair kit while the WRX has a space saver
- Two-year factory warranty is shorter than the WRX’s five-year warranty
- Android Auto is not listed, while the WRX has it
WRX
- Six-speed manual gearbox with all-wheel drive
- Five-year/100,000 km factory warranty
- Space saver spare wheel included
- Less power and torque than the iX2: 271 hp/375 Nm versus 308 hp/494 Nm
- Smaller 411-litre boot
- Fewer listed driver assists, with no blind spot monitoring, AEB or lane keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 283,800✓ | RM 286,245 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 271 hp |
| Torque | — | 375 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Flat 4 |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 494 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 64.7 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 417 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,554 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,590 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R20 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Style-873 M Bi-Colour Alloys | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Style-873 M Bi-Colour Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| 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 and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | No | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 335✓ | RM 767 |
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.
iX2 vs WRX FAQ
Is the BMW iX2 or Subaru WRX better?
The BMW iX2 is the stronger all-rounder on paper: it is cheaper, more powerful, quicker to 100 km/h, has a bigger boot and gets more listed safety tech. The Subaru WRX is the pick only if you specifically want a manual turbo petrol sedan.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX2 costs RM283,800, while the Subaru WRX costs RM286,245. That makes the WRX RM2,445 more expensive.
Which one is more practical?
The BMW iX2 is more practical for luggage, with 525 litres of boot space versus the WRX’s 411 litres. It also has five doors, rear air vents and a powered boot with contactless opening.