Verdict
At RM252,800 against RM258,888, the BMW iX1 L is the more spacious and better-equipped choice on paper for Malaysians able to charge an EV: its 66.5 kWh battery is rated for 433 km, DC charging reaches 130 kW, and the boot holds 490 litres. It is also marginally quicker to 100 km/h at 8.6 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz GLA counters with a 1.332-litre turbo petrol powertrain rated at 5.6 L/100 km, a 210 km/h top speed and a longer four-year warranty. Its smaller 435-litre boot and lack of blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist matter.
Pick the BMW iX1 L if you can charge regularly and want 433 km EV range, a 490-litre boot and more driver-assistance equipment for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if petrol refuelling, a 210 km/h top speed and four years of manufacturer warranty suit your use better.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 L RM252,800; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888.
- Powertrain: BMW iX1 L has one 201 hp, 250 Nm electric motor and a 66.5 kWh battery; Mercedes-Benz GLA has a 1,332 cc turbo petrol engine with 161 hp and 250 Nm.
- Range/economy: BMW iX1 L is rated for 433 km EV range; Mercedes-Benz GLA is rated at 5.6 L/100 km.
- Performance: BMW iX1 L does 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and tops out at 175 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLA does 8.7 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Space: BMW iX1 L is 4,616 mm long with a 2,802 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot; Mercedes-Benz GLA is 4,410 mm long with a 2,729 mm wheelbase and 435-litre boot.
- Warranty: BMW iX1 L has a two-year manufacturer warranty plus eight-year/160,000 km battery coverage; Mercedes-Benz GLA has a four-year manufacturer warranty.
iX1 L
- RM6,088 cheaper.
- 433 km rated EV range; 11 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging.
- Blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and head-up display.
- 175 km/h top speed versus the GLA's 210 km/h.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years.
- Front seats lack the GLA's memory function.
GLA
- 1,332 cc turbo petrol engine rated at 5.6 L/100 km.
- 210 km/h top speed.
- Four-year manufacturer warranty and front-seat memory function.
- RM6,088 more expensive.
- 435-litre boot versus the iX1 L's 490 litres.
- No blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist or head-up display.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800✓ | RM258,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 161 hp |
| Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 433 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds✓ | 8.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 175 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,616 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,802 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,485 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental EcoContact6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Front & Rear Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 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 | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | 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 |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB 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 |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 9 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 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 Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Surround View |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 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 & GLA for sale
iX1 L vs GLA FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 L or Mercedes-Benz GLA better?
The BMW iX1 L is the stronger pick if regular EV charging is practical, as it costs less, has a 433 km rated range, more boot space and more active safety equipment. Choose the GLA for petrol running and its four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 L is RM6,088 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Which is faster, the BMW iX1 L or Mercedes-Benz GLA?
The BMW iX1 L reaches 100 km/h 0.1 seconds sooner, at 8.6 seconds versus 8.7 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz GLA has the higher top speed, at 210 km/h versus 175 km/h.
