Verdict
The Audi Q7 costs RM462,272, RM12,958 less than the RM475,230 BMW Z4, yet it brings seven seats, a 770-litre boot and all-wheel drive. Its 333 hp V6 mild-hybrid also has 500 Nm, although the lighter two-seat Z4 reaches 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds ahead. For a Malaysian buyer carrying family or luggage, the Q7 is plainly the more usable machine, with a much higher RM1,632 annual road tax. The Z4 is the choice for open-top, rear-wheel-drive motoring and lower RM379 road tax.
Pick the Audi Q7 if you need seven seats, a 770-litre boot and all-wheel drive for less money.
Pick the BMW Z4 if you want a two-seat rear-wheel-drive convertible that is 0.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and costs far less in annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q7 RM462,272; BMW Z4 RM475,230.
- Performance: Q7 333 hp, 500 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds; Z4 255 hp, 400 Nm and 5.4 seconds.
- Practicality: Q7 has 7 seats and a 770-litre boot; Z4 has 2 seats and a 280-litre boot.
- Driveline: Q7 all-wheel drive; Z4 rear-wheel drive.
- Annual road tax: Q7 RM1,632; Z4 RM379.
- Dimensions: Q7 is 5,052 mm long with a 2,994 mm wheelbase; Z4 is 4,324 mm long with a 2,470 mm wheelbase.
Q7
- Seven seats and a 770-litre boot
- 333 hp and 500 Nm V6 mild-hybrid
- All-wheel drive, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering
- 0-100 km/h takes 5.6 seconds versus the Z4's 5.4 seconds
- RM1,632 annual road tax versus RM379
- 85-litre fuel tank versus 52 litres
Z4
- 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rear-wheel drive and convertible body
- RM379 annual road tax and 6.5 L/100 km rated economy
- Only two seats and a 280-litre boot
- 255 hp and 400 Nm trail the Q7's 333 hp and 500 Nm
- No blind-spot information system, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM462,272✓ | RM475,230 |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,632 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing, 48V Electric Motor Assistance | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,995 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 333 hp at 5,200 rpm✓ | 255 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 500 Nm at 1,370 rpm✓ | 400 Nm at 1,550 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 84.5 mm × 89 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 11.1 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed tiptronic | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 5.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 149 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,052 mm | 4,324 mm |
| Width | 1,968 mm | 1,864 mm |
| Height | 1,740 mm | 1,304 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,994 mm | 2,470 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,491 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 85 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 770 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 285/35R22 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/35R22 | 255/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005 | Michelin Pilot Super Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Austria (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension, All-wheel steering | M Sport Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side) | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for three middle row passenger seats and two last row seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Flat Tyre Indicator |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam and Sequential Indicators | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Middle, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Manual Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen with MIB 3, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen Sound System | 10.25" BMW Navigation system Professional, iDrive Touch controller, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Soft-close Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 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 Q7 & Z4 for sale
Q7 vs Z4 FAQ
Is the Audi Q7 or BMW Z4 better?
The Audi Q7 is better for family use: it has seven seats, a 770-litre boot, all-wheel drive and costs RM12,958 less. The BMW Z4 is better only if a two-seat convertible, rear-wheel drive and a 5.4-second sprint matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW Z4 costs RM12,958 more than the Audi Q7: RM475,230 versus RM462,272. The Q7 also has the lower purchase price, but its annual road tax is RM1,253 higher.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The BMW Z4 is cheaper to tax at RM379 per year, compared with RM1,632 for the Audi Q7. That is a RM1,253 annual difference in the Z4's favour.
