Verdict
At RM425,800, the BMW iX costs RM97,000 more than the RM328,800 GAC M8, but it is the sharper electric choice: 402 hp, 700 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time against 179 hp, 300 Nm, front-wheel drive and 8.8 seconds. Its 100.6-kWh battery delivers 602 km of EV range and accepts 175 kW DC charging. The M8 counters with seven seats, a 5,212-mm body and power sliding doors, making it the more practical people carrier for larger families. Choose based on seating needs, not badge or body style.
Pick the BMW iX if you want a five-seat EV with 602 km range, 175 kW DC charging and 402 hp/700 Nm performance.
Pick the GAC M8 if you need seven seats, captain’s chairs, power sliding doors and a RM97,000 lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX RM425,800; GAC M8 RM328,800.
- EV range: BMW iX 602 km; GAC M8 106 km.
- DC charging: BMW iX 175 kW; GAC M8 40 kW.
- Performance: BMW iX 402 hp/700 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds; GAC M8 179 hp/300 Nm and 8.8 seconds.
- Seating: BMW iX five seats; GAC M8 seven seats.
- Length: BMW iX 4,965 mm; GAC M8 5,212 mm.
iX
- 602 km EV range from a 100.6-kWh battery.
- 402 hp, 700 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 175 kW DC charging, plus air suspension front and rear.
- RM97,000 more expensive.
- Only five seats to the M8’s seven.
- No power sliding doors.
M8
- Seven seats with second-row captain’s chairs.
- Power sliding doors and rear window shades.
- RM328,800 price undercuts the iX by RM97,000.
- 106 km EV range is 496 km behind the iX.
- 40 kW DC charging is far slower than 175 kW.
- 179 hp, 300 Nm and front-wheel drive trail the iX’s 402 hp, 700 Nm and all-wheel drive.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM425,800 | RM328,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance |
| Horsepower | — | 187 hp |
| Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp✓ | 179 hp |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 100.6 kWh✓ | 25.57 kWh |
| EV Range | 602 km✓ | 106 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 175 kW✓ | 40 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 2-DHT |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.1 seconds✓ | 8.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,965 mm | 5,212 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,893 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 3,070 mm |
| Weight | 2,525 kg | 2,420 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 56 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R21 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R21 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero E | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield) |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with High Beam Assist | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Power Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Intelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) |
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 iX & M8 for sale
iX vs M8 FAQ
Is the BMW iX or GAC M8 better?
The BMW iX is better for electric range, charging and performance, with 602 km, 175 kW DC charging and 402 hp. The GAC M8 is better if seven seats and power sliding doors matter more than outright EV ability.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX costs RM425,800 and the GAC M8 costs RM328,800, so the iX is RM97,000 more expensive.
Which is better for a large family?
The GAC M8 is the clear family-hauling choice: it has seven seats, second-row individual captain’s chairs, a 60:40 split-folding third row and power sliding doors. The BMW iX has five seats.
