Verdict
At RM252,800, the BMW X1 costs RM6,088 less than the RM258,888 Mercedes-Benz GLA, yet its 201 hp and 300 Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine takes 7.6 seconds to 100 km/h, 1.1 seconds quicker. Its 476-litre boot is 41 litres larger too. The GLA returns 5.6 L/100 km versus 7.2 L/100 km and incurs RM100 annual road tax against RM439, a meaningful saving for high-mileage owners. Its 2,729-mm wheelbase is 37 mm longer despite a 90-mm shorter body. The BMW brings blind-spot information and parking assistance; the Mercedes has a 360-degree camera and front-seat memory.
Pick the BMW X1 if you want the quicker 201 hp SUV, a 476-litre boot and blind-spot information for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if lower 5.6 L/100 km fuel use, RM100 road tax, a 360-degree camera and memory front seats matter more than outright pace.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X1 RM252,800; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888.
- Power: BMW X1 201 hp; Mercedes-Benz GLA 161 hp.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X1 7.6 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLA 8.7 seconds.
- Rated fuel economy: BMW X1 7.2 L/100 km; Mercedes-Benz GLA 5.6 L/100 km.
- Annual road tax: BMW X1 RM439; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM100.
- Boot space: BMW X1 476 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLA 435 litres.
X1
- 201 hp and 300 Nm, with a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 476-litre boot, 41 litres larger.
- Blind-spot information and parking assistance.
- Higher rated consumption at 7.2 L/100 km versus 5.6 L/100 km.
- RM439 annual road tax versus RM100.
- No 360-degree camera or front-seat memory function.
GLA
- Lower 5.6 L/100 km rated fuel consumption and RM100 annual road tax.
- Seven airbags and autonomous braking with pedestrian detection up to 105 km/h.
- 360-degree surround-view camera, contactless powered boot and memory front seats.
- 161 hp and 250 Nm trail the X1's 201 hp and 300 Nm.
- 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.1 seconds slower.
- 435-litre boot is 41 litres smaller, and it lacks blind-spot information and parking assistance.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800✓ | RM258,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection 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✓ | 250 Nm at 1,620 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✓ | 8.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | 5.6 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 236 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,485 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 476 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental EcoContact6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Front, front-side, rear) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | 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 Memory Function |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 8 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| 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 | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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 & GLA for sale
X1 vs GLA FAQ
Is the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA better?
The BMW X1 is better for performance, boot space and driver-assistance equipment, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA is the better choice for fuel economy, lower road tax and its 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM6,088 more than the BMW X1: RM258,888 versus RM252,800.
Which has the larger boot?
The BMW X1 has the larger boot at 476 litres, compared with 435 litres in the Mercedes-Benz GLA. That is a 41-litre advantage.
