Verdict
The BMW iX costs RM73,088 less at RM425,800, yet brings a 100.6-kWh battery, 602 km EV range and 175-kW DC charging. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge regularly, that is a far more convincing electric daily-driver brief than the GLE’s 31-kWh battery and 114 km EV range. The Mercedes-Benz GLE counters with Malaysian CKD assembly, a four-year warranty, seven airbags and ventilated massage front seats, but it is heavier at 2,685 kg and takes 6.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h against the iX’s 5.1 seconds.
Pick the BMW iX if you want 602 km of electric range, 175-kW DC charging and 402 hp for RM425,800.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you need a petrol plug-in hybrid with an 85-litre fuel tank, massage-ventilated front seats and a four-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX RM425,800; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- EV range: BMW iX 602 km; Mercedes-Benz GLE 114 km.
- Battery capacity: BMW iX 100.6 kWh; Mercedes-Benz GLE 31 kWh.
- DC charging: BMW iX 175 kW; Mercedes-Benz GLE no DC charging rate stated.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX 5.1 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 seconds.
- Warranty: BMW iX two years; Mercedes-Benz GLE four years.
iX
- RM73,088 cheaper to buy.
- 602 km EV range and 175-kW DC charging.
- Quicker 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time, with 402 hp and 700 Nm from two motors.
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus the GLE’s four years.
- Six airbags versus seven in the GLE.
- Front seats lack the GLE’s massage and ventilation functions.
GLE
- Four-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
- Seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag.
- Front seats have massage and ventilation functions.
- Costs RM73,088 more.
- 114 km EV range versus 602 km for the iX.
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time and 160 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM425,800✓ | RM498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 248 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm✓ | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 100.6 kWh✓ | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | 602 km✓ | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 175 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.1 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,965 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,525 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R21 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero E | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Front 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 | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two rear passenger 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 with High Beam Assist | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| 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 | Intelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/160,000 km 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 iX & GLE for sale
iX vs GLE FAQ
Is the BMW iX or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The BMW iX is the stronger choice for buyers with charging access: it is cheaper, has 602 km of EV range, 175-kW DC charging and reaches 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. Choose the GLE for its petrol plug-in hybrid layout, four-year warranty and ventilated massage seats.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX is RM425,800 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE is RM498,888, so the GLE costs RM73,088 more.
Which one is better for electric driving?
The BMW iX is decisively better for electric driving, with a 100.6-kWh battery, 602 km range and 175-kW DC charging. The GLE has a 31-kWh battery and 114 km EV range, but retains a 1,999-cc petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain and 85-litre tank.
