Verdict
At RM325,800, the BMW X3 costs RM42,890 less and its RM439 annual road tax is far kinder than the Denza Z9 GT’s RM9,140. It also carries 570 litres of luggage versus 495 litres. But the Denza is a very different proposition: its three motors produce 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm, dispatching 0-100 km/h in 2.7 seconds against the BMW’s 8.5 seconds, while its 122.49-kWh battery is rated for 600 km. The catch is its 5,180-mm length in Malaysian car parks.
X3
Pick the BMW X3 if you want the RM42,890 lower entry price, RM439 annual road tax and a 570-litre boot in a shorter 4,755-mm SUV.
Z9 GT
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if 1,140 hp, a 600-km EV range, 2.7-second acceleration and its far richer rear-seat and audio equipment matter more than road tax and size.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; Denza Z9 GT RM368,690.
- Annual road tax: BMW X3 RM439; Denza Z9 GT RM9,140.
- Power and torque: BMW X3 188 hp and 310 Nm; Denza Z9 GT 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X3 8.5 seconds; Denza Z9 GT 2.7 seconds.
- Length and boot space: BMW X3 4,755 mm and 570 litres; Denza Z9 GT 5,180 mm and 495 litres.
- Airbags: BMW X3 six; Denza Z9 GT nine.
X3
- RM42,890 cheaper to buy.
- RM439 annual road tax.
- 570-litre boot, 75 litres larger than the Denza’s.
- 188 hp and 310 Nm trail the Denza’s 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm.
- Takes 8.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h, versus 2.7 seconds.
- Six airbags versus the Denza’s nine.
Z9 GT
- 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm and a 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 122.49-kWh battery with a 600-km range rating.
- Ventilated, memory and massaging front seats, powered rear seats and a 20-speaker Devialet system.
- RM42,890 more expensive than the BMW X3.
- RM9,140 annual road tax versus RM439.
- 5,180 mm long and with a 495-litre boot, against the BMW’s 4,755 mm and 570 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800✓ | RM368,690 |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM9,140 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 188 hp at 4,400 rpm | — |
| Torque | 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 3 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 1,140 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 1,210 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 122.49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 1,500 kW |
| V2L | — | 4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | 2.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 5,180 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,990 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,490 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,895 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 495 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 225/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 225/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Outer Two 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 | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation, Memory and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | 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 Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, e3 Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear Fridges |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage Battery Warranty |
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 X3 & Z9 GT for sale
X3 vs Z9 GT FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or Denza Z9 GT better?
The Denza Z9 GT is better for outright performance, EV range and rear-seat equipment, with 1,140 hp and a 600-km range rating. The BMW X3 is the more sensible choice for lower purchase cost, road tax and luggage space.
What is the price difference?
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM368,690, which is RM42,890 more than the BMW X3 at RM325,800.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BMW X3 does, at RM439 per year. The Denza Z9 GT is listed at RM9,140 per year, a RM8,701 difference.
