Verdict
The RM102,110 cheaper Denza Z9 GT is the numbers-led choice: its three motors produce 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm for a 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time, against the BMW X5’s 308 hp, 540 Nm and 5.4 seconds. It also brings a 122.49-kWh battery rated for 600 km. But Malaysian ownership maths is not one-sided: the Z9 GT’s RM9,140 annual road tax is RM7,503 higher. The X5 is the more practical five-seat load carrier, with a 650-litre boot versus 495 litres, and its SUV body is 275 mm shorter.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you need the larger 650-litre boot, SUV format and far lower RM1,637 annual road tax.
Z9 GT
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if electrified performance, a 600-km EV range and richer rear-seat equipment matter more than road tax and boot volume.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X5 RM470,800; Denza Z9 GT RM368,690.
- Road tax per year: BMW X5 RM1,637; Denza Z9 GT RM9,140.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X5 5.4 seconds; Denza Z9 GT 2.7 seconds.
- Power: BMW X5 308 hp and 540 Nm; Denza Z9 GT 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm.
- Boot space: BMW X5 650 litres; Denza Z9 GT 495 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: BMW X5 4,935 mm and 2,975 mm; Denza Z9 GT 5,180 mm and 3,125 mm.
X5
- 650-litre boot, 155 litres more than the Denza.
- RM7,503 lower annual road tax.
- Adaptive LED headlamps with auto high beam.
- Slower 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time versus 2.7 seconds.
- Less lavish seats: no front ventilation or massage, and no powered rear seats with leg rests.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus six years.
Z9 GT
- Three motors deliver 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm and 2.7-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- 122.49-kWh battery with 600-km EV range, 1,500-kW DC charging and 4-kW V2L.
- Ventilated, memory and massaging front seats; powered rear seats with extendable leg rests.
- RM9,140 annual road tax, compared with RM1,637 for the X5.
- 495-litre boot is 155 litres smaller.
- At 5,180 mm long and 2,895 kg, it is 245 mm longer and 655 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM470,800 | RM368,690✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637✓ | RM9,140 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 308 hp at 5,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 540 Nm at 1,750 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 3 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 1,140 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 1,210 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 122.49 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 1,500 kW |
| V2L | — | 4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Steptronic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds | 2.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 240 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,935 mm | 5,180 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,990 mm |
| Height | 1,765 mm | 1,490 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 2,895 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 650 litres✓ | 495 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/40R21 | 225/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/35R21 | 225/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation, Memory and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests |
| 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 Sliding Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| 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) | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Adaptive 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, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, e3 Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear Fridges |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage 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 X5 & Z9 GT for sale
X5 vs Z9 GT FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or Denza Z9 GT better?
The Denza Z9 GT is better for outright performance and EV driving, with 1,140 hp, a 600-km range and a 2.7-second sprint. Choose the BMW X5 for its 650-litre boot and much lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM368,690 and the BMW X5 costs RM470,800, so the Denza is RM102,110 cheaper.
Which has lower running tax in Malaysia?
The BMW X5 does. Its annual road tax is RM1,637, versus RM9,140 for the Denza Z9 GT, a RM7,503 yearly difference.
