Verdict
At RM252,800 apiece, the choice is driven by use case rather than budget. The BMW iX1 L brings a 66.5 kWh battery, 433 km EV range and 130 kW DC charging, plus a 110 mm longer wheelbase that helps it claim a 490-litre boot. It also gets a panoramic glass roof, head-up display and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go. The BMW X1 is the quicker long-distance machine: its 201 hp, 300 Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol drivetrain reaches 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and 236 km/h, versus 8.6 seconds and 175 km/h.
Pick the BMW iX1 L if home or workplace charging suits you and you want 433 km of electric range, a 490-litre boot and richer driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the BMW X1 if you prioritise its 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time, 236 km/h top speed and the flexibility of a 45-litre petrol tank.
Key differences
- Powertrain: iX1 L has one 201 hp, 250 Nm electric motor; X1 has a 201 hp, 300 Nm 1,998 cc turbo petrol engine.
- Performance: iX1 L does 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and reaches 175 km/h; X1 does 7.6 seconds and 236 km/h.
- Energy use: iX1 L has a 66.5 kWh battery, 433 km range and 130 kW DC charging; X1 has a 45-litre tank and rated consumption of 7.2 L/100 km.
- Space: iX1 L is 4,616 mm long with a 2,802 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot; X1 is 4,500 mm, 2,692 mm and 476 litres.
- Driver assistance: iX1 L has adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and steering lane correction; X1 has passive cruise control and lane-departure warning only.
- Assembly: iX1 L is China-built CBU; X1 is Malaysia-built CKD.
iX1 L
- 433 km EV range with 11 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging.
- 110 mm longer wheelbase and a 490-litre boot.
- Head-up display, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
- Slower 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time versus the X1's 7.6 seconds.
- Lower 250 Nm motor torque and 175 km/h top speed, against 300 Nm and 236 km/h.
X1
- 201 hp and 300 Nm turbo petrol drivetrain.
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time and 236 km/h top speed.
- Parking Assistant, paddle shifts and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Smaller 476-litre boot versus 490 litres in the iX1 L.
- Passive cruise control and lane warning trail the iX1 L's Stop & Go cruise and steering lane correction.
- No head-up display or fixed panoramic glass roof.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800 | RM252,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp |
| Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11.1 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 433 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | Steptronic Dual-clutch |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | 7.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | 236 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,616 mm | 4,500 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,845 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,642 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,802 mm | 2,692 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 476 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags | Front, front-side, rear |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 9 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 10.7" BMW Operating System 8 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| 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 Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Parking Assistant |
| 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 iX1 L & X1 for sale
iX1 L vs X1 FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 L or BMW X1 better?
The iX1 L is better for drivers able to charge regularly, with 433 km range, more cargo room and stronger assistance features. The X1 is better for faster acceleration, a 236 km/h top speed and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference: both cost RM252,800. The decision comes down to electric charging access and equipment versus the X1's stronger performance figures.
Which has more boot space?
The BMW iX1 L has the larger boot at 490 litres, 14 litres ahead of the BMW X1's 476 litres. Its wheelbase is also 2,802 mm, compared with 2,692 mm.
