Verdict
At RM250,800 versus RM286,245, the BMW X1 is RM35,445 cheaper and gives Malaysian buyers the more practical package: SUV body, 476-litre boot, rear air vents and a longer driver-assist list. The Subaru WRX answers with the enthusiast hardware: 2,387 cc flat-four turbo, 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. The X1’s 201 hp and 300 Nm are enough on paper, with a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time, but this match-up is really comfort-and-kit against power-and-grip.
Pick the BMW X1 if you want the cheaper, roomier daily driver with more parking aids and driver-assist kit.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want the stronger turbo engine, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X1 RM250,800; Subaru WRX RM286,245
- Output: BMW X1 201 hp/300 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp/375 Nm
- Driveline and gearbox: BMW X1 front-wheel drive with 7-speed dual-clutch; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive with 6-speed manual
- Boot space: BMW X1 476 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres
- Fuel tank: BMW X1 45 litres; Subaru WRX 63 litres
- Road tax: BMW X1 RM439/year; Subaru WRX RM767/year
X1
- RM35,445 cheaper to buy
- Larger 476-litre boot, rear air vents and 40:20:40 rear seats
- Gets blind spot monitoring, autonomous braking, lane warning, front sensors and Parking Assistant
- Lower output at 201 hp and 300 Nm
- Front-wheel drive only, against the WRX’s all-wheel drive
- Smaller 45-litre fuel tank
WRX
- Much stronger 2.4-litre turbo flat-four with 271 hp and 375 Nm
- All-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox
- Larger 63-litre fuel tank
- Costs RM35,445 more to buy
- Smaller 411-litre boot and no rear air vents listed
- Lacks the X1’s listed blind spot monitoring, autonomous braking, front parking sensors and auto parking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 250,800✓ | RM 286,245 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Flat 4 |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Disc | Solid Disc |
| 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 439✓ | RM 767 |
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 WRX FAQ
Is the BMW X1 or Subaru WRX better?
The BMW X1 is better for daily Malaysian use if practicality, price and assistance features matter. The Subaru WRX is better for keen drivers, with 271 hp, 375 Nm, all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X1 is priced at RM250,800, while the Subaru WRX costs RM286,245. That makes the WRX RM35,445 more expensive.
Which one is more practical?
The BMW X1 is more practical on paper. It has an SUV body, 476 litres of boot space, 40:20:40 split rear seats and rear air vents, while the WRX has a 411-litre boot and 60:40 split rear seats.