Verdict
At RM421,990, the Audi costs RM43,190 more than the RM378,800 BMW, yet the iX3 brings 463 hp and 645 Nm against 268 hp and 400 Nm. Its 113.4-kWh battery claims 726 km, with 22-kW AC and 400-kW DC charging, so it is the clear fit for a buyer with charging access. The Q5 Sportback answers with a 68-litre petrol tank, lower RM434 annual road tax versus RM765, ventilated seats and Matrix LED/OLED lighting. Both are AWD five-seat CBU SUVs, but BMW's 2,897-mm wheelbase gives it a substantial 369-mm advantage.
Pick the Audi Q5 Sportback if you want petrol power, RM434 annual road tax, ventilated front seats and Matrix LED projectors.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you can charge regularly and want far stronger outputs, a 726-km EV range and a longer wheelbase for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 Sportback RM421,990; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- Output: Audi 268 hp and 400 Nm; BMW 463 hp and 645 Nm.
- Annual road tax: Audi RM434; BMW RM765.
- Wheelbase and boot: Audi 2,528 mm and 515 litres; BMW 2,897 mm and 520 litres.
- Dimensions: Audi 4,717 mm long, 1,900 mm wide and 1,641 mm high; BMW 4,782 mm long, 1,895 mm wide and 1,635 mm high.
- Wheels: Audi 20-inch alloys with 255/45R20 tyres front and rear; BMW 22-inch alloys with 255/35R22 front and 275/35R22 rear tyres.
Q5 Sportback
- Lower RM434 annual road tax.
- Ventilated front seats.
- Matrix LED projectors and full OLED tail lights.
- RM43,190 dearer to buy.
- 268 hp and 400 Nm fall well short of the BMW's 463 hp and 645 Nm.
- 2,528-mm wheelbase is 369 mm shorter, with a 515-litre boot versus 520 litres.
iX3
- Two motors produce 463 hp and 645 Nm.
- 113.4-kWh battery, 726-km range, 22-kW AC and 400-kW DC charging.
- Panoramic sunroof and Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking.
- RM765 annual road tax is RM331 higher.
- Front seats are not ventilated.
- LED headlamps and full LED tail lights lack the Audi's Matrix LED projectors and OLED tail lights.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM421,990 | RM378,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434✓ | RM765 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, supercharged with variable valve timing | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 268 hp | — |
| Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| 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 | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 4,782 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,641 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,528 mm | 2,897 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,285 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 515 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/35R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Hungary (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 22" Alloys (9J) |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 22" Alloys (9.5J) |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | S Sport Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer 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 | Matrix LED Projectors | LED, with High-beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Ambient Light |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen Sound System | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Comfort Access) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Digital Key | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | Yes |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | Yes |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking |
| 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 Manufacturer | 2 years | 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 Q5 Sportback & iX3 for sale
Q5 Sportback vs iX3 FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 Sportback or BMW iX3 better?
The BMW iX3 is the better buy for an owner with dependable charging, thanks to 463 hp, 645 Nm and 726 km of EV range. Choose the Audi Q5 Sportback if petrol use, lower RM434 road tax and ventilated front seats matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM43,190 less than the Audi Q5 Sportback: RM378,800 against RM421,990.
Which one is better for long-distance electric driving?
The BMW iX3 is the only EV here. Its 113.4-kWh battery is rated for 726 km, and it supports 22-kW AC plus 400-kW DC charging. The Audi Q5 Sportback is petrol-powered and uses a 68-litre fuel tank.