Verdict
At RM252,800, the BMW X1 costs RM30,111 more than the RM222,689 Subaru Forester, but its 201 hp, 300 Nm turbo petrol engine cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 7.6 seconds against 9.7 seconds. It also saves RM399 a year in road tax. The Forester counters with all-wheel drive, X-Mode, a 63-litre tank and a five-year/100,000 km warranty. For Malaysian buyers who value outright pace and lower annual tax, the X1 earns its premium; the Forester is the better-equipped choice for traction and driver assistance.
Pick the BMW X1 if you want 201 hp, 300 Nm and a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time, while paying RM439 a year in road tax.
Pick the Subaru Forester if all-wheel drive, X-Mode, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and a five-year warranty matter more than acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X1 RM252,800; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Power and torque: BMW X1 201 hp and 300 Nm; Subaru Forester 182 hp and 247 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X1 7.6 seconds; Subaru Forester 9.7 seconds.
- Drivetrain: BMW X1 front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive.
- Fuel tank: BMW X1 45 litres; Subaru Forester 63 litres.
- Warranty: BMW X1 two years with unlimited mileage; Subaru Forester five years/100,000 km.
X1
- 201 hp and 300 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds.
- RM439 annual road tax, versus RM838.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Parking Assistant.
- RM30,111 dearer than the Forester.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- 45-litre tank and 476-litre boot trail the Forester's 63 litres and 496 litres.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane-keeping steering correction.
- Five-year/100,000 km warranty and a 360-degree camera.
- Its 182 hp and 247 Nm produce a slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- RM838 annual road tax is RM399 higher than the X1's.
- No front parking sensors, where the X1 has six.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp✓ | 182 hp |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 247 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 236 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 | — | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 476 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| 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 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 Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 8 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 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 and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | No | — |
| 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 | — |
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 X1 & Forester for sale
X1 vs Forester FAQ
Is the BMW X1 or Subaru Forester better?
The BMW X1 is better for performance, with 201 hp, 300 Nm and a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time. The Subaru Forester is better for all-wheel-drive traction, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and its five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X1 costs RM252,800 and the Subaru Forester costs RM222,689, so the BMW costs RM30,111 more. Its annual road tax is lower, however, at RM439 versus RM838 for the Forester.
Which has more practical space, the BMW X1 or Subaru Forester?
The Subaru Forester has the larger boot at 496 litres versus 476 litres and a 63-litre fuel tank versus 45 litres. The BMW X1 has a longer 2,692 mm wheelbase, compared with 2,670 mm for the Forester.