Verdict
At RM252,800, the BMW X1 costs RM6,088 less than the RM258,888 Mercedes-Benz GLA, yet brings a 201 hp/300 Nm 2.0-litre against 161 hp/250 Nm from the GLA’s 1.33-litre. Its 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.1 seconds quicker, and its 476-litre boot is 41 litres larger. The GLA answers with markedly lower rated consumption of 5.6 L/100 km versus 7.2, plus a four-year warranty rather than two. For Malaysian buyers covering long distances, the GLA’s RM100 annual road tax also undercuts the X1’s RM439.
Pick the BMW X1 if you want the stronger 201 hp drivetrain, quicker 7.6-second sprint, 476-litre boot and parking assistant for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if lower 5.6 L/100 km consumption, RM100 road tax, a four-year warranty and a 360-degree camera matter more than outright pace.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X1 RM252,800; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888.
- Output: BMW X1 201 hp and 300 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLA 161 hp and 250 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X1 7.6 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLA 8.7 seconds.
- Rated fuel economy: BMW X1 7.2 L/100 km; Mercedes-Benz GLA 5.6 L/100 km.
- Boot space: BMW X1 476 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLA 435 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW X1 two years; Mercedes-Benz GLA four years.
X1
- 201 hp and 300 Nm from a 1,998 cc turbo petrol engine.
- 476-litre boot, 41 litres larger than the GLA's.
- Blind-spot information system and parking assistant.
- Rated consumption is 7.2 L/100 km versus the GLA's 5.6 L/100 km.
- Annual road tax is RM439, compared with RM100 for the GLA.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty trails the GLA's four years.
GLA
- 5.6 L/100 km rated economy and RM100 annual road tax.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- 360-degree surround-view camera and powered contactless boot.
- 161 hp and 250 Nm trail the X1's 201 hp and 300 Nm.
- 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.1 seconds behind the X1.
- 435-litre boot is 41 litres smaller than the X1's.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM252,800✓ | RM258,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp✓ | 161 hp |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Dual-clutch | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 7 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds✓ | 8.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km | 5.6 L/100 km✓ |
| Top Speed | 236 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 | — | 1,485 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 476 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental EcoContact6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" V-spoke style 867 Bicolour Light Alloy Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| 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 for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and 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 | Warning Only | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | 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 |
| Power Sockets | 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C 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 |
| Audio | 10.7" BMW Operating System 8 with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 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 Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
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 X1 & GLA for sale
X1 vs GLA FAQ
Is the BMW X1 or Mercedes-Benz GLA better?
The BMW X1 is the stronger all-round pick for performance, luggage space and driver-assistance equipment while costing less. Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLA instead if its 5.6 L/100 km rating, RM100 road tax, four-year warranty and 360-degree camera are higher priorities.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X1 costs RM252,800 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM258,888, so the GLA is RM6,088 more expensive.
Which has lower running costs, the X1 or GLA?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has the lower stated costs: 5.6 L/100 km versus 7.2 L/100 km for the X1, and RM100 annual road tax versus RM439. It also has a four-year manufacturer warranty, against two years for the X1.
