Verdict
The BMW X1 is the rational Malaysian buy at RM252,800, using 7.2 L/100 km against the BMW X4’s 8.5 L/100 km and taking up 251 mm less length in car parks. The RM154,000 gap is substantial, though the X4 brings 249 hp and 350 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 201 hp, 300 Nm, front-wheel drive and 7.6 seconds for the X1. Its 525-litre boot, adaptive suspension and richer cabin kit are genuine gains, but they are expensive ones.
The X4 xDrive30i M Sport Pro (RM406,800) sits above every X1 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BMW X1 if you want the far lower RM252,800 entry price, better 7.2 L/100 km rated economy and easier 4,500-mm packaging.
Pick the BMW X4 if you will pay RM154,000 more for 249 hp, all-wheel drive, a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h sprint and a 525-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X1 RM252,800; BMW X4 RM406,800.
- Output: BMW X1 201 hp and 300 Nm; BMW X4 249 hp and 350 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X1 7.6 seconds; BMW X4 6.3 seconds.
- Rated fuel economy: BMW X1 7.2 L/100 km; BMW X4 8.5 L/100 km.
- Dimensions and boot: BMW X1 4,500 mm long with 476 litres; BMW X4 4,751 mm long with 525 litres.
- Driveline and gearbox: BMW X1 front-wheel drive with seven-speed dual-clutch; BMW X4 all-wheel drive with eight-speed automatic.
X1
- RM154,000 cheaper to buy.
- 7.2 L/100 km rated economy.
- 251 mm shorter and gets a space-saver spare tyre.
- Slower at 7.6 seconds to 100 km/h versus 6.3 seconds.
- 476-litre boot trails the X4’s 525 litres.
- Lane-keeping only warns, while the X4 adds steering correction.
X4
- 249 hp, 350 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 525-litre boot and 2,864-mm wheelbase.
- Adaptive suspension, head-up display and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- Costs RM154,000 more.
- Rated at 8.5 L/100 km versus 7.2 L/100 km.
- 251 mm longer and 73 mm wider, so it needs more room in tight parking areas.
What the X4 has over the X1
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The X4's wheelbase is 172 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The X4 is 73 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the X4: 525 litres against 476.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800✓ | RM406,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM439 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,580/mo✓ | RM4,155/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM6,886✓ | RM10,890 |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM2,866✓ | RM3,383 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM14.33✓ | RM16.92 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM50,954✓ | RM73,561 |
| 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 at 5,000 rpm | 249 hp at 5,200 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,450 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 | 6 (Front, front-side, rear) | 6 (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 | 3 years | 3 years |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used X1 & X4 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW X1
X1 vs X4 FAQ
Is the BMW X1 or BMW X4 better?
The BMW X1 is better for price, economy and urban size. The BMW X4 is better if performance and equipment matter more: it has 249 hp, all-wheel drive, adaptive suspension and reaches 100 km/h 1.3 seconds sooner.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X4 costs RM406,800 and the BMW X1 costs RM252,800, a difference of RM154,000.
Which has the bigger boot?
The BMW X4 has the bigger boot at 525 litres, 49 litres more than the BMW X1’s 476 litres. Both have five seats and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.