Verdict
The Audi Q5 costs RM352,900, undercutting the RM378,800 BMW iX3 by RM25,900, and its RM434 annual road tax is RM331 lower. But the iX3’s two motors produce 463 hp and 645 Nm, against the Q5’s 196 hp and 340 Nm, while adding all-wheel drive, a 113.4-kWh battery, 726 km range and 400 kW DC charging. Both carry five people and swallow 520 litres. The Audi suits buyers who want petrol refuelling and a lower entry bill; the BMW is the far more capable EV if charging works for your routine.
Pick the Audi Q5 if you want the RM25,900 lower purchase price, lower RM434 road tax and a petrol SUV with a 68-litre tank.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want 463 hp, 645 Nm, all-wheel drive, 726 km EV range and 400 kW DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 RM352,900; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- Road tax: Audi Q5 RM434 per year; BMW iX3 RM765 per year.
- Power and torque: Audi Q5 196 hp/340 Nm; BMW iX3 463 hp/645 Nm.
- Driveline: Audi Q5 front-wheel drive; BMW iX3 all-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase: Audi Q5 2,817 mm; BMW iX3 2,897 mm.
- Wheels: Audi Q5 19-inch alloys; BMW iX3 22-inch alloys.
Q5
- RM25,900 cheaper to buy.
- RM331 lower annual road tax.
- Digital Matrix LED headlamps and OLED tail lights.
- 196 hp and 340 Nm trail the BMW’s 463 hp and 645 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive versus the BMW’s all-wheel drive.
- No head-up display, panoramic sunroof or remote-control parking.
iX3
- 463 hp, 645 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 113.4-kWh battery, 726 km range and 400 kW DC charging.
- Head-up display, panoramic sunroof and Parking Assistant Professional with remote-control parking.
- RM25,900 more expensive to buy.
- RM765 annual road tax is RM331 higher.
- Rear occupants get air vents rather than the Q5’s single-zone rear climate control.
| 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 |
| 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 | — |
| Torque | 340 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 | 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 | 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 | 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.
Used Q5 & iX3 for sale
Q5 vs iX3 FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 or BMW iX3 better?
The BMW iX3 is better for electric performance and equipment, with 463 hp, 645 Nm, all-wheel drive, 726 km range and 400 kW DC charging. The Audi Q5 is the better choice if lower purchase cost, lower road tax and petrol refuelling matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM25,900 more than the Audi Q5: RM378,800 versus RM352,900.
Which one has lower annual road tax?
The Audi Q5 has lower annual road tax at RM434, compared with RM765 for the BMW iX3. That saves RM331 each year.