Verdict
At RM250,800, the BMW iX1 costs RM11,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan, but brings electric running with a 66.5 kWh battery, 475 km claimed range and 130 kW DC charging. It is also the more practical family choice: its 490-litre boot beats the sedan’s 420 litres, and rear air vents help passengers. The A-Class is the sharper straight-line option, reaching 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds versus 8.6 seconds, while its RM70 annual road tax undercuts the iX1’s RM160.
iX1
Pick the BMW iX1 if you can charge regularly and want a 475 km EV range, a 490-litre boot and SUV seating height.
A-Class Sedan
Pick the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan if you want the lower entry cost, RM70 annual road tax and quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 RM250,800; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM238,888.
- Powertrain: BMW iX1 has one 204 hp/250 Nm electric motor and a 66.
- Performance: BMW iX1 does 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and reaches 170 km/h; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan does 8.3 seconds and 230 km/h.
- Practicality: BMW iX1 has a 490-litre boot and rear air vents; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan has a 420-litre boot and no rear air vents.
- Chassis: BMW iX1 uses adaptive M suspension with multi-link rear suspension and 245/45R19 tyres; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan has comfort lowered suspension…
- Annual road tax: BMW iX1 RM160; Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan RM70.
iX1
- 475 km EV range from a 66.5 kWh battery
- 490-litre boot and rear air vents
- 130 kW DC charging, 360-degree camera and active cruise control with Stop&Go
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 8.6 seconds versus 8.3 seconds
- Higher annual road tax: RM160 versus RM70
- Costs RM11,912 more
A-Class Sedan
- Quicker 8.3-second 0-100 km/h time and 230 km/h top speed
- RM70 annual road tax
- Seven airbags and five-star Euro NCAP and ANCAP ratings
- 420-litre boot is 70 litres smaller
- No rear air vents
- Passive cruise control versus active cruise control with Stop&Go
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM250,800 | RM238,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM70✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 161 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 270 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 72.2 mm × 81.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 204 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 475 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 | 8.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 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 | 2,085 kg | 1,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 51 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 205/55R17 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 17" Five-twin-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension | Comfort Lowered Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 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 rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | 2 on outer rear seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Front Collision Warning | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Yes | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Driving Assistant Plus | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED | LED Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Electric Seat Adjustment with Memory for Driver | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60/40 split | 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 | Front 12V, Qi Wireless charging tray | 2 Front USB-C, 1 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | Dual front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Yes | — |
| Audio | BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 10.25" Touchscreen, iDrive Controller, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker, 464W Harman Kardon Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Yes | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Electric | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes with 360 view | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant Plus | Yes, Active Parking Assist |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | Add RM13,430 for 5 year warranty and service package, 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 & A-Class Sedan for sale
iX1 vs A-Class Sedan FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 or Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan better?
The iX1 is better for EV driving, luggage space and rear passenger comfort, with 475 km range, a 490-litre boot and rear air vents. The A-Class Sedan suits buyers prioritising lower cost, lower road tax and faster acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 costs RM11,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan.
Which has more luggage space?
The BMW iX1 has the larger boot at 490 litres, 70 litres more than the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan’s 420 litres.
