Verdict
The BMW iX1 is the cleaner break from the norm: RM250,800 buys a 204 hp front-drive EV with a 66.5 kWh battery, 475 km range and a bigger 490-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM258,888 and stays petrol, with 161 hp, 250 Nm, 5.6 L/100 km and a 43-litre tank. They are almost tied to 100 km/h, at 8.6 versus 8.7 seconds, so the choice is less about pace and more about charging access, warranty cover and boot space.
Pick the BMW iX1 if you can charge at home or work and want the 475 km EV range, larger 490-litre boot and lower RM250,800 price.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you want petrol convenience, a longer four-year warranty and the facelifted cabin tech with the latest MBUX system.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 RM250,800; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888
- Powertrain: BMW iX1 single electric motor; Mercedes-Benz GLA 1,332 cc petrol engine
- Power: BMW iX1 204 hp; Mercedes-Benz GLA 161 hp
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX1 8.6 s; Mercedes-Benz GLA 8.7 s
- Boot space: BMW iX1 490 L; Mercedes-Benz GLA 435 L
- Warranty: BMW iX1 2 years; Mercedes-Benz GLA 4 years
iX1
- 475 km EV range from a 66.5 kWh battery
- 204 hp and slightly quicker 8.6 s century sprint
- Bigger 490-litre boot
- Shorter 2-year warranty
- Lower 170 km/h top speed
- Charging access matters more than with a petrol SUV
GLA
- Four-year warranty
- Petrol range convenience with a 43-litre tank
- Facelift gets the latest MBUX system
- Smaller 435-litre boot
- Less power at 161 hp
- Costs RM8,088 more
| 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 | — | 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 | 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 | Front, front-side, rear | 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 | 5 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?
For most EV-ready buyers, the BMW iX1 has the stronger numbers: 204 hp, 475 km range and 490 litres of boot space. The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the easier pick if you want petrol refuelling and a four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX1 is RM8,088 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLA, at RM250,800 versus RM258,888.
Which one is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The BMW iX1 is just quicker, taking 8.6 seconds against the Mercedes-Benz GLA’s 8.7 seconds. In daily driving, that 0.1-second gap is too small to matter.
