Verdict
The Audi Q5 costs RM352,900, undercutting the BMW iX3 by RM25,900, and its RM434 annual road tax is RM331 lower. It is the sensible petrol route, with a 196 hp/340 Nm 2.0-litre turbo, 68-litre tank and a useful 520-litre boot. But the iX3 is dramatically quicker on paper: its two motors deliver 463 hp and 645 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the 113.4 kWh battery claims 726 km of range. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge, the BMW’s 400 kW DC capability and richer cabin kit justify serious consideration.
Pick the Audi Q5 if you want to spend RM25,900 less, pay RM434 a year in road tax and retain petrol refuelling with a 68-litre tank.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you can charge regularly and want 463 hp, 645 Nm, 726 km of claimed range and all-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 RM352,900; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- Powertrain: Audi Q5 196 hp and 340 Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol; BMW iX3 two motors with 463 hp and 645 Nm.
- Driveline: Audi Q5 front-wheel drive; BMW iX3 all-wheel drive.
- Energy storage: Audi Q5 68-litre fuel tank; BMW iX3 113.4 kWh battery with 726 km claimed range.
- Charging: Audi Q5 has no charging provision; BMW iX3 supports 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC charging.
- Dimensions: Audi Q5 is 4,717 mm long with a 2,817 mm wheelbase; BMW iX3 is 4,782 mm long with a 2,897 mm wheelbase.
Q5
- RM25,900 cheaper to buy
- RM434 annual road tax versus RM765
- Digital Matrix LED headlamps and OLED tail lights
- 196 hp and 340 Nm trail the iX3’s 463 hp and 645 Nm
- Front-wheel drive versus the iX3’s all-wheel drive
- No panoramic sunroof, head-up display or auto parking
iX3
- 463 hp, 645 Nm and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- 113.4 kWh battery, 726 km claimed range and 400 kW DC charging
- Panoramic sunroof, head-up display and remote-control parking
- RM25,900 dearer to buy
- RM765 annual road tax versus RM434
- 2,285 kg kerb weight
What the Q5 has over the iX3
What the iX3 has over the Q5
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The iX3's wheelbase is 80 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM352,900✓ | RM378,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434✓ | RM765 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,605/mo✓ | RM3,865/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM9,489✓ | RM10,097 |
| 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 | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 196 hp at 4,300 rpm | — |
| Torque | 340 Nm at 2,000 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| 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 | Front 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 | 1,669 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,817 mm | 2,897 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,285 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 520 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 255/35R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 275/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Hungary (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 22" Alloys (9J) |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 22" Alloys (9.5J) |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag) | 7 (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 | Digital Matrix LED Headlights | 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 Driver's Memory Function | 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, 10-speaker Audi 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| 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. 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 October 2026.
Used Q5 & iX3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Audi Q5
BMW iX3
Q5 vs iX3 FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 or BMW iX3 better?
The BMW iX3 is the stronger choice for buyers with charging access, bringing 463 hp, 645 Nm, all-wheel drive and 726 km of claimed range. Choose the Audi Q5 for lower purchase cost, lower road tax and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM25,900 more than the Audi Q5: RM378,800 versus RM352,900. Its annual road tax is also RM331 higher, at RM765 versus RM434.
Which has more boot space?
Neither has an advantage on quoted luggage capacity. The Audi Q5 and BMW iX3 each provide 520 litres of boot space, with 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
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.