Verdict
At RM252,800, the BMW X1 costs RM33,445 less than the Subaru WRX and its RM439 annual road tax is RM328 lower. It is the more practical five-seat choice, with a 476-litre boot, rear air-con vents and a seven-speed wet dual-clutch. The WRX answers with 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, against 201 hp, 300 Nm and front-wheel drive for the BMW. For Malaysian buyers prioritising equipment and everyday load space, take the X1; choose the Subaru if manual, AWD performance is the brief.
Pick the BMW X1 if you want the lower-cost SUV with a 476-litre boot, seven-speed dual-clutch and more active safety and parking assistance equipment.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X1 RM252,800; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Power and torque: BMW X1 201 hp and 300 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: BMW X1 front-wheel drive with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive with a six-speed manual.
- Boot space: BMW X1 476 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres.
- Fuel tank: BMW X1 45 litres; Subaru WRX 63 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW X1 two years with unlimited mileage; Subaru WRX five years or 100,000 km.
X1
- RM33,445 lower purchase price and RM328 lower annual road tax.
- 476-litre boot, rear air-con vents and 40:20:40 rear seat split.
- Blind spot information, autonomous braking, collision warning and Parking Assistant.
- 201 hp and 300 Nm trail the WRX's 271 hp and 375 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the WRX's all-wheel-drive layout.
- 45-litre fuel tank is 18 litres smaller than the WRX's 63 litres.
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm from its 2.4-litre turbocharged engine.
- All-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.
- Five-year/100,000-km manufacturer warranty and 63-litre fuel tank.
- Costs RM33,445 more, with RM767 annual road tax against the X1's RM439.
- 411-litre boot is 65 litres smaller than the X1's.
- No blind spot information, autonomous braking, collision warning or front parking sensors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800✓ | RM286,245 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 271 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 236 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 476 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| 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" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front, front-side, rear | 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 on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | — |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 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 | 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C 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 | 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's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| 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 | — |
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 & WRX for sale
X1 vs WRX FAQ
Is the BMW X1 or Subaru WRX better?
The BMW X1 is the better all-round choice for lower outlay, a larger 476-litre boot and more driver-assistance equipment. The Subaru WRX is the better choice only if its 271 hp, all-wheel drive and manual gearbox are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM33,445 more than the BMW X1: RM286,245 versus RM252,800.
Which car has the manual gearbox?
The Subaru WRX has a six-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive. The BMW X1 uses a seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic and front-wheel drive.