Verdict
The BMW X1 is the rational Malaysian buy at RM250,800, while the BMW X4 asks RM404,800 and gives you more muscle: 249 hp and 350 Nm against 201 hp and 300 Nm. It is also quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds versus 7.6 seconds, with AWD instead of FWD. But the X1 is thriftier at 7.2 L/100 km, easier to place at 4,500 mm long, and both pay the same RM439 annual road tax.
X1
Pick the BMW X1 if you want the lower-cost, more economical BMW SUV and do not need AWD, a bigger boot or the X4’s extra equipment.
X4
Pick the BMW X4 if you want stronger performance, AWD, more luggage room and kit such as a panoramic sunroof, head-up display and Harman Kardon audio.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X1 RM250,800; BMW X4 RM404,800
- Output: BMW X1 201 hp/300 Nm; BMW X4 249 hp/350 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and driveline: BMW X1 7.6 seconds/FWD; BMW X4 6.3 seconds/AWD
- Rated economy: BMW X1 7.2 L/100 km; BMW X4 8.5 L/100 km
- Size and boot: BMW X1 4,500 mm long/476 litres; BMW X4 4,751 mm long/525 litres
- Gearbox: BMW X1 7-speed Steptronic dual-clutch; BMW X4 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic
X1
- Lower rated fuel use at 7.2 L/100 km versus 8.5 L/100 km
- Shorter and narrower body: 4,500 mm by 1,845 mm versus 4,751 mm by 1,918 mm
- Space-saver spare tyre included; the BMW X4 runs on run-flat tyres with no spare listed
- Less power and torque: 201 hp/300 Nm versus 249 hp/350 Nm
- Slower 0-100 km/h time at 7.6 seconds versus 6.3 seconds
- Smaller boot and tank: 476 litres/45 litres versus 525 litres/65 litres
X4
- Stronger engine tune with 249 hp and 350 Nm
- AWD and a quicker 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Adds adaptive suspension, panoramic sunroof, head-up display and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Costs RM154,000 more than the BMW X1
- Higher rated fuel use at 8.5 L/100 km versus 7.2 L/100 km
- Larger footprint at 4,751 mm long and 1,918 mm wide versus 4,500 mm and 1,845 mm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 250,800✓ | RM 404,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 249 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | 8 Speed Steptronic Sport Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | ZF |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km✓ | 8.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 236 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 192 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,918 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,864 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 65 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 476 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Pirelli P Zero Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front, front-side, rear | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| 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 on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 60 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Collision Prevention |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting (6 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 8 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 12.3" Touchscreen BMW Operating System 7.0 with iDrive Touch Controller, Voice Control and 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (464 Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | No | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Auto-dimming Mirrors |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 439 | RM 439 |
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.
X1 vs X4 FAQ
Is the BMW X1 or BMW X4 better?
The BMW X4 is better for performance and equipment, with AWD, 249 hp and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time. The BMW X1 is better for cost and economy, using 7.2 L/100 km and taking less road space.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X4 costs RM154,000 more than the BMW X1. Both are locally assembled and both have the same RM439 annual road tax.
Which one has more boot space?
The BMW X4 has the bigger boot at 525 litres. The BMW X1 has 476 litres, so the X4 gives you an extra 49 litres for luggage.