Verdict
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800 to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class’ RM292,888, a RM85,912 jump that buys a 113.4-kWh battery, 726 km EV range, 400-kW DC charging and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h pace. Its 520-litre boot and 2,897-mm wheelbase also suit family duties better. But the C-Class is RM675 cheaper a year in road tax, reaches 246 km/h and brings a petrol hybrid/REV powertrain for buyers without dependable charging. Pick the iX3 for electric performance and long-range use; choose the C-Class for the lower entry and running tax cost.
iX3
Pick the BMW iX3 if you can charge regularly and want 726 km of EV range, all-wheel drive and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
C-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you want to spend RM85,912 less upfront, pay RM90 annual road tax and retain petrol refuelling.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX3 RM378,800; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888.
- Road tax per year: BMW iX3 RM765; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM90.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX3 4.9 seconds; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 7.3 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW iX3 210 km/h; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 246 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW iX3 520 litres; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 455 litres.
- Dimensions: BMW iX3 4,782 mm long and 1,635 mm tall; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4,751 mm long and 1,437 mm tall.
iX3
- 726 km EV range from a 113.4-kWh battery
- 400-kW DC and 22-kW AC charging
- 463 hp, 645 Nm and all-wheel drive
- RM765 annual road tax versus RM90
- RM85,912 higher purchase price
- 210 km/h top speed versus 246 km/h
C-Class
- Lower RM292,888 entry price and RM90 annual road tax
- 246 km/h top speed
- Powered rear sunshade and manual rear door sunshades
- 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.9 seconds
- 455-litre boot versus 520 litres
- No EV range, AC charging or DC charging capability
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800 | RM292,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 300 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 78 mm × 78.3 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 463 hp✓ | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm✓ | 200 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 | — | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 7.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 151 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Agility Control Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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 (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED, with High-beam Assistant | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| 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 | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades |
| Audio | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging | 11.4" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| 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 | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 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.
Used iX3 & C-Class for sale
iX3 vs C-Class FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class better?
The BMW iX3 is better for buyers able to charge regularly, with 726 km range, 463 hp and a 520-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the more sensible lower-cost choice, with RM90 annual road tax and petrol hybrid/REV power.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM85,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Which is quicker, the BMW iX3 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The BMW iX3 is quicker, completing 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class’ 7.3 seconds. The C-Class has the higher top speed, at 246 km/h versus 210 km/h.
