Verdict
At RM250,800, the BMW iX1 costs RM28,111 more than the RM222,689 Subaru Forester, but its RM160 annual road tax is RM678 lower. The iX1’s 204 hp, 250 Nm motor and 475 km stated EV range suit buyers with dependable charging, while its 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time beats the Forester’s 9.7 seconds. The Subaru counters with all-wheel drive, eight airbags and a five-year warranty. Its 496-litre boot is only six litres larger, so luggage space is effectively a draw.
Pick the BMW iX1 if you can charge regularly and want 475 km EV range, lower RM160 road tax, quicker acceleration and richer parking and infotainment hardware.
Pick the Subaru Forester if all-wheel drive, eight airbags, a 63-litre petrol tank and a five-year warranty matter more than EV running tax and acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 RM250,800; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Annual road tax: BMW iX1 RM160; Subaru Forester RM838.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX1 8.6 seconds; Subaru Forester 9.7 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW iX1 front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive.
- Airbags: BMW iX1 six; Subaru Forester eight.
- Boot space: BMW iX1 490 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres.
iX1
- 475 km stated EV range with 11 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging.
- Quicker 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time and RM160 annual road tax.
- Head-up display, Parking Assistant Plus and 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- RM28,111 pricier than the Forester.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive.
- Six airbags and a two-year warranty, against eight airbags and five years.
Forester
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode.
- Eight airbags and a five-year/100,000 km warranty.
- Slightly larger 496-litre boot and a space-saver spare tyre.
- RM838 annual road tax, RM678 more than the iX1.
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- No head-up display, navigation or auto-parking system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM250,800 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 204 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 475 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 170 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 | 2,085 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Front, front-side, rear) | 8 (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 rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | 2 on outer rear seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Front Collision Warning | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Yes | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Driving Assistant Plus | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Electric Seat Adjustment with Memory for Driver | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 60/40 split | 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 | Front 12V, Qi Wireless charging tray | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | Dual front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Yes | — |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker, 464W Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Yes | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Electric | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes with 360 view | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant Plus | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| 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 | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | Add RM13,430 for 5 year warranty and service package, 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 & Forester for sale
iX1 vs Forester FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 or Subaru Forester better?
The iX1 is the better fit for regular home or workplace charging, with 475 km stated range, 8.6-second acceleration and RM160 road tax. Choose the Forester for all-wheel drive, eight airbags and five-year warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 costs RM28,111 more than the Subaru Forester: RM250,800 versus RM222,689.
Which has the better warranty and safety provision?
The Forester has the stronger basic cover on duration, with a five-year/100,000 km warranty versus the iX1’s two-year unlimited-mileage warranty. It also has eight airbags to the BMW’s six.
