Verdict
At RM475,230, the BMW Z4 costs RM6,342 more than the RM468,888 Lexus RX, yet they serve radically different Malaysian lives. The Z4’s 255 hp, 400 Nm rear-drive layout and 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time make it the clear performance choice, while its 6.5 L/100 km rating and RM379 annual road tax soften running costs. The RX answers with 275 hp, 430 Nm, all-wheel drive, five seats and a 612-litre boot. Its RM754 road tax, 7.6-second sprint and 1,914 kg kerb weight are the price of that family usefulness.
Pick the BMW Z4 if a two-seat convertible with rear-wheel drive and a 5.4-second 0-100 km/h sprint matters more than passenger and luggage capacity.
Pick the Lexus RX if you need five seats, a 612-litre boot, all-wheel drive and a far fuller active-safety suite.
Key differences
- Price: BMW Z4 RM475,230; Lexus RX RM468,888.
- Performance: BMW Z4 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds; Lexus RX in 7.6 seconds.
- Output: BMW Z4 255 hp and 400 Nm; Lexus RX 275 hp and 430 Nm.
- Practicality: BMW Z4 has 2 seats and a 280-litre boot; Lexus RX has 5 seats and a 612-litre boot.
- Road tax: BMW Z4 RM379 per year; Lexus RX RM754 per year.
- Warranty: BMW Z4 2 years/unlimited mileage; Lexus RX 5 years/unlimited mileage.
Z4
- 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time, 2.2 seconds quicker.
- Rear-wheel drive and M Sport Suspension.
- RM375 lower annual road tax and a 6.5 L/100 km rated economy figure.
- Only two seats and a 280-litre boot versus five seats and 612 litres.
- Four airbags; lacks blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assistance.
- Two-year warranty versus five years.
RX
- Five seats, 612-litre boot and 40:20:40 power-folding rear seats.
- Seven airbags, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and steering correction.
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, 360-degree camera and head-up display.
- 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.2 seconds slower.
- RM375 higher annual road tax.
- 1,914 kg kerb weight, 423 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM475,230 | RM468,888✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM754 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 255 hp at 5,000 rpm | 275 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 1,550 rpm | 430 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 87.5 mm × 99.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | 11 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds✓ | 7.6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 149 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,324 mm | 4,890 mm |
| Width | 1,864 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,304 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,470 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,491 kg | 1,914 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 68 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 612 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R18 | 235/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Austria (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Sport Suspension | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 4 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Flat Tyre Indicator | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | — | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" BMW Navigation system Professional, iDrive Touch controller, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function |
| Auto 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 | BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 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 Z4 & RX for sale
Z4 vs RX FAQ
Is the BMW Z4 or Lexus RX better?
The BMW Z4 is better for open-top performance, reaching 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. The Lexus RX is better for daily family use, with five seats, a 612-litre boot, all-wheel drive and more active safety equipment.
What is the price difference?
The BMW Z4 costs RM6,342 more than the Lexus RX. The gap is small, but the cars are not: the Z4 is a two-seat convertible and the RX is a five-seat SUV.
Which has lower running costs, the BMW Z4 or Lexus RX?
The BMW Z4 has the lower stated costs: RM379 annual road tax against RM754 for the Lexus RX, plus a rated 6.5 L/100 km fuel economy figure. No rated economy figure is stated for the RX.
