A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
L4
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
iX1
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
L4
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
iX1
L4
Model Introduced Year
2023
2026
Generation
Battery-electric U11 compact SUV, closely related in body and cabin architecture to the third-generation X1.
First-generation LEPAS L4 compact SUV
Facelift History
The current U11 iX1 is the first battery-electric X1 generation; no South African facelift has been announced.
The L4 launched as the first LEPAS model in South Africa in 2026.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Premium SUV
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Car
SUV
Spec
iX1
L4
Length
4500 mm
4406 mm
Width
1845 mm
1820 mm
Height
1616 mm
1635 mm
Wheelbase
2692 mm
2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
190 mm
160 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
490 l
458 l
Kerb Weight
2085 kg
1346 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2580 kg
1844 kg
Payload Capacity
570 kg
498 kg
Towing Capacity
1200 kg
1200 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.8 m
5.275 m
Front Headroom
1020 mm
1005 mm
Rear Headroom
981 mm
975 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1040 mm
Rear Legroom
928 mm
890 mm
Spec
iX1
L4
Engine
BMW eDrive electric drive
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
SQRE4T15C
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1499 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
4
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Multi-Point Electronic Fuel Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
9.5:1
Bore
Not Applicable
77.0 mm
Stroke
Not Applicable
80.5 mm
Maximum Power
230 kW
108 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
494 Nm
225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
2
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front and rear axles
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
6-Speed DCT
Top Speed
210 km/h
185 km/h
0-100 km/h
5.6 sec
10.2 sec
Quarter Mile
16.2 sec
17.6 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
80.2 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
167.2 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
1 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
64.8 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
400 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
490 km (BMW stated)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
11 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
130 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
6 h 30 min
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
30 min
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
iX1
L4
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
6-speed dual-clutch automatic
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Yes
No
Transfer Case
Yes
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
4.13:1
Number of Gears
1
6
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Dual clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Electronically controlled AWD
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Yes
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Yes
Not Applicable
Low Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Yes
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
6
Spec
iX1
L4
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
14.3 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
11.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
16.8 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
51 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 6B
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Standard
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
14.3 km/l
Charging Port Type
CCS Combo
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
0
51
Combined Driving Range
490 km (BMW stated)
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
14.8
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
360 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
Not Applicable
Spec
iX1
L4
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
AEB
Yes
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes - front seats
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Yes
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
iX1
L4
Cruise Control
Yes
Adaptive
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Yes
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Standard
No
Around View Monitor
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Standard
Spec
iX1
L4
Seat Material
Leather/Sensatec
Faux leather
Heated Seats
Yes
No
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Steering wheel M Leather
Faux leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
6-way power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
4-way manual
Seat Trim
Sport seats for driver and front passenger
Faux leather
Spec
iX1
L4
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Front and rear
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
Panoramic
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Climate control
Spec
iX1
L4
Infotainment System
Yes
13.2-inch
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
8-inch segment display
USB Ports
2
2
Infotainment Screen
14.9
13.2-inch
Touchscreen
14.9
13.2-inch
Spec
iX1
L4
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Rear
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
LEPAS South Africa colour availability varies by derivative and launch allocation.
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Standard
Spec
iX1
L4
Approach Angle
25 deg
20.0 deg
Departure Angle
23 deg
28.0 deg
Wading Depth
500 mm
400 mm
Terrain Modes
Auto; Sport; Eco
No
Locking Differential
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
20 deg
18.5 deg
Spec
iX1
L4
Tyre Size
225/50 R18
215/60 R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Temporary T-type spare tyre
Wheel Rim Size
18" M Lt/Aly wheels Double-spoke style 838 M Bicolour
17-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic
Spec
iX1
L4
Front Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
MacPherson strut independent suspension
Rear Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Torsion beam semi-independent suspension
Spec
iX1
L4
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
159 g/km
Spec
iX1
L4
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
5 years / 75,000 km
Spec
iX1
L4
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Price Zar
1255000 ZAR
419900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Starting Price
1255000
419900
Starting Price Zar
1255000
419900
Spec
iX1
L4
Warranty
Yes
5 years / 150,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This iX1 and L4 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: iX1 95 vs L4 47.
Efficiency index: iX1 90 vs L4 56.
Safety-equipment index: iX1 92 vs L4 92.
Practicality index: iX1 64 vs L4 59.
Ownership-cover index: iX1 not separately scored vs L4 not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
iX1 and L4 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
iX1 leads by 21 points
iX1 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over L4.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
iX1
Performance
95/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
64/100
L4
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
59/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW iX1
leads the specification evidence index with 85 pts
vs 64 pts for L4
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, iX1 leads. However, L4 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Compare
Get Best Price
We'll Contact You
Fill in your details and a dedicated executive will reach out shortly.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
An executive will contact you shortly. Thank you for your interest.