Verdict
For just RM4,430 less, the BMW X5 is the more useful Malaysian purchase: it carries five, has a 650-litre boot and uses all-wheel drive, while matching the BMW Z4’s 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed. Its 308 hp, 540 Nm inline-six also beats the Z4’s 255 hp and 400 Nm. The Z4 counters with a 749 kg lower kerb weight, rear-wheel drive and convertible body, but its two seats and 280-litre boot make it a focused second car. Factor in the X5’s RM1,637 annual road tax against RM379 for the Z4.
Pick the BMW X5 if you need five seats, a 650-litre boot and all-wheel drive without giving up the Z4’s 5.4-second sprint.
Pick the BMW Z4 if a two-seat rear-wheel-drive convertible and far lower RM379 annual road tax matter more than passenger and luggage space.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X5 RM470,800; BMW Z4 RM475,230.
- Power and torque: BMW X5 308 hp and 540 Nm; BMW Z4 255 hp and 400 Nm.
- Seats and boot space: BMW X5 five seats and 650 litres; BMW Z4 two seats and 280 litres.
- Driveline and weight: BMW X5 all-wheel drive and 2,240 kg; BMW Z4 rear-wheel drive and 1,491 kg.
- Dimensions: BMW X5 is 4,935 mm long and 1,765 mm tall; BMW Z4 is 4,324 mm long and 1,304 mm tall.
- Road tax: BMW X5 RM1,637 yearly; BMW Z4 RM379 yearly.
X5
- Five seats and a 650-litre boot.
- 308 hp, 540 Nm inline-six and all-wheel drive.
- Eight airbags, blind-spot monitoring and steering-correction lane keeping.
- RM1,258 higher annual road tax.
- 749 kg heavier than the Z4.
- Costs RM4,430 more.
Z4
- Rear-wheel drive convertible body.
- 749 kg lighter than the X5.
- RM379 annual road tax and 6.5 L/100 km rated economy.
- Two seats and a 280-litre boot.
- 255 hp and 400 Nm trail the X5’s 308 hp and 540 Nm.
- Four airbags; it lacks the X5’s blind-spot system, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM470,800✓ | RM475,230 |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ | 255 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | 540 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ | 400 Nm at 1,550 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 11.1 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Steptronic | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 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 | 4,935 mm | 4,324 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,864 mm |
| Height | 1,765 mm | 1,304 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 2,470 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 1,491 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 650 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/40R21 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/35R21 | 255/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats | 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 | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | M Sport Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear 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 headlights with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | 10.25" BMW Navigation system Professional, iDrive Touch controller, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | 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 | — | BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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 X5 & Z4 for sale
X5 vs Z4 FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or BMW Z4 better?
The BMW X5 is better as an only car because it has five seats, 650 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and more power. Choose the BMW Z4 for its two-seat convertible format, rear-wheel drive and much lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM470,800 and the BMW Z4 costs RM475,230, so the X5 is RM4,430 cheaper.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The BMW Z4 is cheaper to tax at RM379 per year. The BMW X5 costs RM1,637 per year, a RM1,258 annual difference.
