Verdict
At RM378,800, the BMW iX3 costs RM92,000 less than the RM470,800 BMW X5, yet its two motors deliver 463 hp, 645 Nm and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 113.4-kWh battery claims 726 km range and accepts 400 kW DC charging, which matters if home and public charging suit your routine. The X5 is the roomier Executive-class choice: 650 litres of boot space, air suspension and a 250 km/h top speed. But its RM1,637 annual road tax is RM872 higher than the iX3’s RM765.
iX3
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want the lower RM378,800 entry price, 726 km EV range and quicker 4.9-second sprint.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you need its 650-litre boot, larger cabin footprint and air suspension.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX3 RM378,800; BMW X5 RM470,800.
- Powertrain: BMW iX3 has two motors producing 463 hp and 645 Nm; BMW X5 has a 2,998 cc inline-six with 308 hp and 540 Nm.
- Performance: BMW iX3 does 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and tops out at 210 km/h; BMW X5 takes 5.4 seconds and reaches 250 km/h.
- Energy use: BMW iX3 has a 113.4-kWh battery, 726 km range and 400 kW DC charging; BMW X5 has an 83-litre fuel tank.
- Size and luggage: BMW iX3 is 4,782 mm long with 520 litres of boot space; BMW X5 is 4,935 mm long with 650 litres.
- Road tax: BMW iX3 is RM765 a year; BMW X5 is RM1,637 a year.
iX3
- RM92,000 cheaper to buy.
- 463 hp, 645 Nm and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- 726 km range, 400 kW DC charging and 22 kW AC charging.
- 520-litre boot is 130 litres smaller than the X5’s.
- 210 km/h top speed is 40 km/h lower than the X5’s.
- No air suspension listed, unlike the X5.
X5
- 650-litre boot and a 2,975 mm wheelbase.
- Air suspension with adaptive dampers.
- 250 km/h top speed and 83-litre fuel tank.
- RM92,000 more expensive than the iX3.
- 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time trails the iX3 by 0.5 seconds.
- RM1,637 annual road tax is RM872 higher than the iX3’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800✓ | RM470,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765✓ | RM1,637 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 308 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 540 Nm at 1,750 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 463 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 113.4 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 726 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.7 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Eight-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 5.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 4,935 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 2,975 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | 2,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 83 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 650 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 315/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for 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, with High-beam Assistant | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Comfort Access) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking | Yes |
| 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 | — | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 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 iX3 & X5 for sale
iX3 vs X5 FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or BMW X5 better?
The iX3 is the better pick for lower purchase cost, lower road tax, EV range and outright acceleration. Choose the X5 if its 650-litre boot, larger body and air suspension matter more than those savings.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM92,000 more than the BMW iX3: RM470,800 versus RM378,800.
Which has more luggage space, the BMW iX3 or BMW X5?
The BMW X5 has the larger boot at 650 litres, 130 litres more than the BMW iX3’s 520 litres. Both have five seats and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
