Verdict
The BMW X1 costs RM13,912 more, but its 201 hp/300 Nm 2.0-litre turbo cuts the 0-100 km/h time to 7.6 seconds, against the A-Class Sedan’s 161 hp/270 Nm 1.3-litre and 8.3 seconds. It is also the more useful family car: 476 litres of boot space, rear air-con vents and a 40:20:40 rear bench help. The Mercedes counters with a far lower RM70 annual road tax versus RM439, seven airbags and front-seat memory. Choose the X1 for space and pace; the A-Class Sedan for lower entry and running costs.
Pick the BMW X1 if you need the 476-litre boot, rear air-con vents and stronger 201 hp performance.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan if a RM13,912 lower price, RM70 road tax and seven airbags matter more than SUV practicality.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X1 RM252,800; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM238,888.
- Performance: BMW X1 201 hp, 300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 161 hp, 270 Nm and 8.3 seconds.
- Annual road tax: BMW X1 RM439; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM70.
- Boot space: BMW X1 476 litres; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan 420 litres.
- Rear suspension: BMW X1 multi-link; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan torsion beam.
- Airbags: BMW X1 six; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan seven.
X1
- 201 hp and 300 Nm, with a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 476-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Rear air-con vents, navigation and lane-keeping warning.
- Costs RM13,912 more and has RM439 annual road tax versus RM70.
- Has six airbags to the Mercedes-Benz’s seven.
- Front seats lack the Mercedes-Benz’s memory function.
A-Class Sedan
- RM238,888 price and RM70 annual road tax.
- Seven airbags and power front seats with memory.
- Longer 2,729 mm wheelbase and larger 51-litre fuel tank.
- Slower 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time with 161 hp and 270 Nm.
- 420-litre boot is 56 litres smaller, and the rear bench is 60:40 rather than 40:20:40.
- No rear air-con vents, navigation or lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800 | RM238,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM70✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ | 161 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 270 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 72.2 mm × 81.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 7 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds✓ | 8.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 236 km/h✓ | 230 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,549 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,796 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,446 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 476 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Lowered Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Front, front-side, rear) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front Pelvis, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| 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 Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear | 2 Front USB-C, 1 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 8 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, 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 Entry | Keyless Operation |
| 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 Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant | Yes, Active Parking Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | No | 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 | 3 years✓ | 2 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 & A-Class Sedan for sale
X1 vs A-Class Sedan FAQ
Is the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan better?
The BMW X1 is better for carrying people and luggage, with a 476-litre boot, rear vents and 201 hp. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is the better lower-cost choice, at RM13,912 less with RM369 lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X1 costs RM252,800 and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan costs RM238,888, so the BMW is RM13,912 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan?
The BMW X1 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan takes 8.3 seconds; the BMW also produces 201 hp and 300 Nm versus 161 hp and 270 Nm.
