Verdict
The RM27,800 dearer BMW iX1 L makes sense for a buyer able to charge regularly: its 66.5-kWh battery, 433-km EV range and 130-kW DC charging are a fundamentally different ownership proposition from the Santa Fe’s 1.6-litre petrol hybrid system and 67-litre fuel tank. But the Hyundai is the more useful family SUV. It carries seven rather than five, has a 628-litre boot against 490 litres, and brings 10 airbags to the BMW’s six. The BMW counters with a head-up display, adaptive LED projectors and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system.
Pick the BMW iX1 L if you want 433 km of electric range, 130-kW DC charging and a more compact 4,616-mm SUV with a head-up display.
Pick the Hyundai Santa Fe if you need seven seats, a 628-litre boot and 10 airbags while spending RM27,800 less.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 L RM252,800; Hyundai Santa Fe RM225,000.
- Seating and boot: BMW iX1 L has 5 seats and 490 litres; Hyundai Santa Fe has 7 seats and 628 litres.
- Electric system/fuel: BMW iX1 L has a 66.5-kWh battery and 433-km EV range; Hyundai Santa Fe has a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid system and 67-litre tank.
- Size: BMW iX1 L is 4,616 mm long and 1,845 mm wide; Hyundai Santa Fe is 4,830 mm long and 1,900 mm wide.
- Safety: BMW iX1 L has 6 airbags; Hyundai Santa Fe has 10 airbags.
- Warranty: BMW iX1 L has a 2-year manufacturer warranty plus 3-year extended warranty; Hyundai Santa Fe has an 8-year/160,000-km manufacturer warranty.
iX1 L
- 433-km EV range from a 66.5-kWh battery
- 130-kW DC and 11-kW AC charging
- Head-up display and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Five seats versus the Santa Fe’s seven
- 490-litre boot versus 628 litres
- Six airbags versus 10, at a RM27,800 higher price
Santa Fe
- Seven seats with ISOFIX in the second and third rows
- 628-litre boot and rear air-con blower controls
- 10 airbags and an 8-year/160,000-km warranty
- No quoted EV range or AC/DC charging capability
- No head-up display
- 6-speaker audio versus the BMW’s 12-speaker Harman Kardon system
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800 | RM225,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC Direct Injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 265 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 75.6 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp✓ | 64 hp |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | 264 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh✓ | 1.49 kWh |
| EV Range | 433 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,616 mm | 4,830 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,802 mm | 2,815 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 67 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 628 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 18" 5-arm Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags) | 10 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for 2nd & 3rd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with One-touch Tumble, Manual Recline, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents & Blower Controls |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Second Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 4 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 9 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| 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 Entry (Push Button Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Monitor |
| 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✓ | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 8 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 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 L & Santa Fe for sale
iX1 L vs Santa Fe FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 L or Hyundai Santa Fe better?
The Santa Fe is better for larger families, with seven seats, a 628-litre boot and 10 airbags. Choose the iX1 L if home or workplace charging suits your routine and its 433-km electric range matters more than third-row seating.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 L costs RM252,800 and the Hyundai Santa Fe costs RM225,000, so the BMW is RM27,800 more expensive.
Which one is better for regular long-distance family travel?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is the more practical long-distance family choice on space alone: it has seven seats, a 67-litre fuel tank and a 628-litre boot. The BMW iX1 L has five seats and a 490-litre boot, but delivers a quoted 433-km EV range.
