Verdict
At RM250,800, the BMW iX1 is the far more attainable BMW EV, and its RM160 annual road tax, 475 km range and 490-litre boot suit daily Malaysian use well. The RM128,000 dearer iX3 is a substantial step up in hardware: 463 hp and 645 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 4.9 seconds, while its 113.4-kWh battery delivers 726 km and can accept 400 kW DC charging. It is also 282 mm longer, but brings a 520-litre boot, AWD and 22 kW AC charging.
Pick the BMW iX1 if RM250,800, lower RM160 road tax and a more compact 4,500-mm SUV matter more than outright range and performance.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want 726 km of range, 400 kW DC charging, AWD and 4.9-second performance enough to justify the RM378,800 price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX1 RM250,800; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- Battery and range: BMW iX1 66.5 kWh and 475 km; BMW iX3 113.4 kWh and 726 km.
- Motor output: BMW iX1 204 hp and 250 Nm; BMW iX3 463 hp and 645 Nm.
- Performance: BMW iX1 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and 170 km/h; BMW iX3 4.9 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Charging: BMW iX1 11 kW AC/130 kW DC; BMW iX3 22 kW AC/400 kW DC.
- Size and boot: BMW iX1 is 4,500 mm long with 490 litres; BMW iX3 is 4,782 mm long with 520 litres.
iX1
- RM128,000 cheaper to buy.
- Lower RM160 annual road tax.
- 282 mm shorter than the iX3.
- 475 km range trails the iX3's 726 km.
- 130 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging are well below 400 kW and 22 kW.
- Front-wheel drive and 204 hp/250 Nm versus AWD and 463 hp/645 Nm.
iX3
- 726 km range from a 113.4-kWh battery.
- 400 kW DC and 22 kW AC charging capability.
- 463 hp, 645 Nm and AWD; 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
- Costs RM378,800, RM128,000 more than the iX1.
- RM765 annual road tax versus RM160.
- 282 mm longer and 200 kg heavier than the iX1.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM250,800✓ | RM378,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM765 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 204 hp | 463 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | 645 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | 113.4 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 475 km | 726 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 22 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 130 kW | 400 kW✓ |
| V2L | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.6 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 170 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,782 mm |
| Width | 1,845 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,692 mm | 2,897 mm |
| Weight | 2,085 kg | 2,285 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/35R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Hungary (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 22" Alloys (9J) |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Doublespoke 871 Bicolour | 22" Alloys (9.5J) |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front, front-side, rear | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual rear doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | 2 on outer rear seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Front Collision Warning | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Yes | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Driving Assistant Plus | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED | LED, with High-beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Electric Seat Adjustment with Memory for Driver | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60/40 split | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing |
| Power Sockets | Front 12V, Qi Wireless charging tray | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Lighting | Ambient Light |
| 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 | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Comfort Access) |
| Locks | Yes | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Electric | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 | Yes |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 | Yes |
| Reverse Camera | Yes with 360 view | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Parking Assistant Plus | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included; Drive Recorder and Remote Theft Recorder; Intelligent Personal Assistant |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | Add RM13,430 for 5 year warranty and service package, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | RM399,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package |
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 & iX3 for sale
iX1 vs iX3 FAQ
Is the BMW iX1 or BMW iX3 better?
The iX3 is better for long-distance ability and performance, with 726 km range, 400 kW DC charging and 463 hp. The iX1 is the rational choice if its RM128,000 lower price, lower road tax and shorter body better fit your needs.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800 and the BMW iX1 costs RM250,800, so the difference is RM128,000.
Which BMW EV charges faster?
The iX3 charges faster on both AC and DC: 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC, against the iX1's 11 kW AC and 130 kW DC. Actual charging time still depends on charger output and battery conditions.
