Verdict
The BMW X1 costs RM252,800, RM30,111 more than the Subaru Forester, but its 201 hp/300 Nm 2.0-litre turbo and seven-speed dual-clutch cut the 0-100 km/h sprint to 7.6 seconds, against 9.7 seconds for the Forester’s 182 hp/247 Nm 2.5-litre CVT. It is also cheaper to tax at RM439 yearly versus RM838. The Forester fights back with all-wheel drive, X-Mode, a 63-litre tank and 496-litre boot, so it is the more useful choice for buyers who prioritise traction and touring range over outright pace.
Pick the BMW X1 if you want the quicker 7.6-second performance, lower RM439 annual road tax and Parking Assistant.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you want all-wheel drive with X-Mode, a 63-litre fuel tank, 360-degree camera and five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X1 RM252,800; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Performance: BMW X1 201 hp, 300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds; Subaru Forester 182 hp, 247 Nm and 9.7 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW X1 front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- Road tax: BMW X1 RM439 per year; Subaru Forester RM838 per year.
- Practicality: BMW X1 45-litre tank and 476-litre boot; Subaru Forester 63-litre tank and 496-litre boot.
- Warranty: BMW X1 two-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty; Subaru Forester five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
X1
- 201 hp and 300 Nm deliver a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- RM439 annual road tax, versus RM838 for the Forester.
- Adaptive LED headlamps, six front and six rear parking sensors, plus Parking Assistant.
- RM30,111 dearer than the Forester.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the Forester’s all-wheel-drive system with X-Mode.
- 45-litre fuel tank and 476-litre boot trail the Forester’s 63 litres and 496 litres.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- 63-litre fuel tank and 496-litre boot.
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and a 360-degree View Monitor.
- 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.1 seconds behind the X1.
- RM838 annual road tax is RM399 higher than the X1’s.
- No front parking sensors or Parking Assistant; the X1 has six front sensors and Parking Assistant.
| 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 | 5 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, lower annual road tax and parking assistance. The Subaru Forester is better for all-wheel-drive traction, fuel capacity, boot space, adaptive cruise control and a longer standard manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X1 costs RM30,111 more than the Subaru Forester.
Which is faster, the BMW X1 or Subaru Forester?
The BMW X1 is faster, reaching 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds versus 9.7 seconds for the Subaru Forester. Its 201 hp and 300 Nm also exceed the Forester’s 182 hp and 247 Nm.