Verdict
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800 against RM325,800 for the BMW X3, a RM53,000 premium that brings a 113.4-kWh battery, 726 km EV range and 463 hp with 645 Nm from two motors. Its 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.6 seconds quicker, while 400-kW DC charging is a major plus if you can charge regularly. The X3’s 188 hp, 310 Nm 2.0-litre petrol mild-hybrid setup is slower but provides 570 litres of boot space, 50 litres more than the iX3.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you have dependable charging and want 726 km of electric range, 463 hp and far stronger performance.
Pick the BMW X3 if lower upfront cost, RM439 annual road tax and a 570-litre boot matter more than EV range and acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX3 RM378,800; BMW X3 RM325,800.
- Output: BMW iX3 463 hp and 645 Nm; BMW X3 188 hp and 310 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX3 4.9 seconds; BMW X3 8.5 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW iX3 520 litres; BMW X3 570 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW iX3 RM765; BMW X3 RM439.
- Wheels: BMW iX3 22-inch alloys; BMW X3 19-inch alloys.
iX3
- 726 km EV range from a 113.4-kWh battery
- 463 hp, 645 Nm and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- 400-kW DC charging, 22-kW AC charging and 3.7-kW V2L
- RM53,000 higher purchase price
- 520-litre boot is 50 litres smaller
- 210 km/h top speed is 5 km/h lower
X3
- RM53,000 lower purchase price and RM326 lower annual road tax
- 570-litre boot
- 215 km/h top speed
- 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.6 seconds slower
- 188 hp and 310 Nm trail the iX3’s 463 hp and 645 Nm
- Six airbags versus the iX3’s seven
What the iX3 has over the X3
What the X3 has over the iX3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Boot space favours the X3: 570 litres against 520.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800 | RM325,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765 | RM439✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,865/mo | RM3,325/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM10,097 | RM8,784✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,388 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.94 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM61,248 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 5.2 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 20 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 188 hp at 4,400 rpm |
| Torque | — | 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| 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 | — | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 8.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 215 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 4,755 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 570 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 245/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 245/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) |
| 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 | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory | Powered Front 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used iX3 & X3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW iX3
BMW X3
iX3 vs X3 FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or BMW X3 better?
The BMW iX3 is the better choice if you can charge at home or work, delivering 726 km of EV range and 4.9-second acceleration. The BMW X3 suits buyers who prioritise lower cost, lower road tax and 50 litres more boot space.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM53,000 more than the BMW X3. That gap brings electric drive, a 113.4-kWh battery, 726 km range, 400-kW DC charging and a 463 hp dual-motor AWD system.
Which model has more luggage space?
The BMW X3 has the larger boot at 570 litres, compared with 520 litres in the BMW iX3. The X3 therefore gives you 50 litres more luggage capacity.
How long does charging take?
The iX3's 113.4 kWh battery takes about 5.2 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 400 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The X3 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the iX3 is fully imported (CBU) from Hungary. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
