Verdict
At RM252,800, the BMW iX1 L costs RM16,088 less than the RM268,888 Volvo XC40, yet brings a 66.5 kWh battery, 433 km EV range and RM160 annual road tax. Its 2,802 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot also give it a useful practical edge. The Volvo fights back with 263 hp, 390 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time, 2.2 seconds ahead of the BMW. Choose the iX1 L for electric running and space; take the XC40 if pace and its five-year warranty matter more.
iX1 L
Pick the BMW iX1 L if you want a 433 km EV, lower RM160 annual road tax and a larger 490-litre boot for RM16,088 less.
XC40
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want 263 hp, 390 Nm, all-wheel drive and a much quicker 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 L RM252,800; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Powertrain: BMW iX1 L has one 201 hp/250 Nm electric motor and a 66.5 kWh battery; Volvo XC40 has a 1,969 cc 263 hp/390 Nm petrol-hybrid powertrain.
- Performance: BMW iX1 L does 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds; Volvo XC40 takes 6.4 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW iX1 L is front-wheel drive; Volvo XC40 is all-wheel drive.
- Practicality: BMW iX1 L has a 2,802 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot; Volvo XC40 has a 2,702 mm wheelbase and 460-litre boot.
- Road tax: BMW iX1 L RM160 per year; Volvo XC40 RM428 per year.
iX1 L
- 433 km EV range from a 66.5 kWh battery.
- RM16,088 lower purchase price and RM268 lower annual road tax.
- Longer 2,802 mm wheelbase, 490-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear seat split.
- 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Volvo's 6.4 seconds.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Volvo's all-wheel drive.
- Six airbags versus seven in the Volvo.
XC40
- 263 hp and 390 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds.
- All-wheel drive and 180 km/h top speed.
- Five-year manufacturer warranty, plus driver's seat memory and auto parking.
- Costs RM16,088 more than the BMW.
- RM428 annual road tax is RM268 higher.
- 460-litre boot and 2,702 mm wheelbase are smaller than the BMW's 490 litres and 2,802 mm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800✓ | RM268,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 263 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 390 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,616 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,802 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| 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" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| 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 | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and 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 Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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 | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid 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 & XC40 for sale
iX1 L vs XC40 FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 L or Volvo XC40 better?
The BMW iX1 L is the better fit for electric driving, lower road tax and luggage space, with 433 km range and a 490-litre boot. The Volvo XC40 is better for outright performance, reaching 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds with all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 L costs RM252,800 and the Volvo XC40 costs RM268,888, so the Volvo is RM16,088 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the BMW iX1 L or Volvo XC40?
The Volvo XC40 is quicker: 0-100 km/h takes 6.4 seconds versus 8.6 seconds for the BMW iX1 L. The Volvo also has 263 hp and 390 Nm, against the BMW's 201 hp and 250 Nm motor output.
