Verdict
At RM250,800, the BMW iX1 costs RM8,088 less than the RM258,888 Mercedes-Benz GLA yet brings a 66.5-kWh battery, 475-km EV range and a 490-litre boot. Its 204-hp motor is only 0.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the GLA’s 161-hp petrol four-cylinder, so outright pace is close. The Mercedes makes more sense if its 210 km/h top speed, four-year warranty and CKD assembly matter more than EV charging. For a Malaysian buyer who can charge regularly, the iX1 is the sharper buy.
Pick the BMW iX1 if you want 475 km of electric range, a larger 490-litre boot and more driver-assistance equipment for RM8,088 less.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you prefer petrol convenience, a 210 km/h top speed and a four-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 RM250,800; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888.
- Powertrain: BMW iX1 has a 204-hp, 250-Nm electric motor; Mercedes-Benz GLA has a 161-hp, 250-Nm 1.332-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Range/economy: BMW iX1 has a 66.5-kWh battery and 475 km range; Mercedes-Benz GLA is rated at 5.6 L/100 km with a 43-litre tank.
- Top speed: BMW iX1 170 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLA 210 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW iX1 490 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLA 435 litres.
- Warranty: BMW iX1 2 years; Mercedes-Benz GLA 4 years.
iX1
- RM8,088 cheaper with a 475-km EV range
- 490-litre boot is 55 litres larger
- Blind-spot warning, lane steering correction and head-up display
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the GLA’s four years
- 170 km/h top speed versus 210 km/h
- Road tax costs RM160 per year versus RM100
GLA
- Four-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- 210 km/h top speed
- Seven airbags and pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking
- Costs RM8,088 more
- 435-litre boot is 55 litres smaller
- No blind-spot information system, lane-keeping assist or head-up display
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM250,800✓ | RM258,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 161 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 250 Nm at 1,620 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✓ | 8.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 170 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 | 2,085 kg | 1,485 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 43 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Continental EcoContact6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (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 | Adaptive M Suspension | Comfort Suspension |
| 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 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Front Collision Warning | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Yes | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Driving Assistant Plus | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | 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 | Front 12V, Qi Wireless charging tray | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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 | 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 & 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 |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Electric | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes with 360 view | Yes, 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant Plus | — |
| 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 | 3 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 & GLA for sale
iX1 vs GLA FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA better?
The BMW iX1 is the better buy for an owner who can charge regularly: it costs RM8,088 less, has 475 km of EV range and a 490-litre boot. Choose the GLA for petrol refuelling convenience, 210 km/h top speed and its four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 costs RM250,800 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM258,888, putting the GLA at RM8,088 more.
Which one has more boot space and a longer warranty?
The iX1 has the larger boot at 490 litres against 435 litres in the GLA. The GLA has the longer manufacturer warranty at four years, compared with two years for the iX1.
