Verdict
At RM252,800, the BMW X1 costs RM16,088 less than the Volvo XC40 at RM268,888, yet returns a claimed 7.2 L/100 km against 7.7 L/100 km and carries 476 litres rather than 460 litres. The Volvo answers with 263 hp and 390 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h to 6.4 seconds versus 7.6 seconds, plus all-wheel drive. The RM16,088 gap buys active cruise control, steering lane correction, seven airbags and a five-year warranty; the BMW gets two years. For Malaysian buyers, choose the Volvo’s stronger performance and assistance package unless lower purchase and fuel costs matter more.
Pick the BMW X1 if lower entry cost, 7.2 L/100 km economy and the larger 476-litre boot matter more than all-wheel drive and stronger driver assistance.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want 263 hp, 390 Nm, all-wheel drive, active cruise control and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Performance: BMW X1 makes 201 hp and 300 Nm; Volvo XC40 makes 263 hp and 390 Nm.
- Acceleration: BMW X1 takes 7.6 seconds from 0-100 km/h; Volvo XC40 takes 6.4 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW X1 is front-wheel drive; Volvo XC40 is all-wheel drive.
- Fuel economy: BMW X1 is rated at 7.2 L/100 km; Volvo XC40 is rated at 7.7 L/100 km.
- Boot space: BMW X1 has 476 litres; Volvo XC40 has 460 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW X1 gets two years; Volvo XC40 gets five years.
X1
- Lower claimed fuel use at 7.2 L/100 km.
- 476-litre boot is 16 litres larger.
- 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and four USB-C ports.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 7.6 seconds versus 6.4 seconds.
- Front-wheel drive versus the XC40’s all-wheel drive.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
XC40
- 263 hp and 390 Nm, with a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive and active cruise control.
- Seven airbags, steering lane correction and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
- Higher claimed fuel use at 7.7 L/100 km versus 7.2 L/100 km.
- 460-litre boot is 16 litres smaller.
- 180 km/h top speed versus 236 km/h.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800✓ | RM268,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM428✓ |
| 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 | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp at 5,000 rpm | 263 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,500 rpm | 390 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km✓ | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 236 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 476 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Michelin e-Primacy |
| 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" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 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 | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Front, front-side, rear) | 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 | Manual for Rear Doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| 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 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 | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| 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 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 |
| Power Sockets | 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 8 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 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 Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant | Yes |
| 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 | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 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 X1 & XC40 for sale
X1 vs XC40 FAQ
Is the BMW X1 or Volvo XC40 better?
The Volvo XC40 is the stronger pick for performance, all-wheel drive, active cruise control and warranty cover. The BMW X1 suits buyers prioritising lower purchase cost, better claimed economy and a larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC40 costs RM16,088 more than the BMW X1.
Which has the stronger safety assistance package?
The Volvo XC40 has the stronger package: seven airbags, active cruise control and lane-keeping steering correction. The BMW X1 has six airbags, passive cruise control and lane-keeping warning only.
