Verdict
The BMW iX3 is the sharper Malaysian buy on the numbers: it is RM87,190 cheaper, reaches 726 km against the Audi Q8 e-tron’s 582 km, and its 400 kW DC capability dwarfs 170 kW. It is also quicker to 100 km/h at 4.9 seconds versus 5.6. The Audi counters with a larger 569-litre boot, 664 Nm and adaptive air suspension, but its RM545 annual road tax is RM220 less than the BMW’s. Choose the Audi only if its extra space and ride hardware matter more than range and charging speed.
Pick the Audi Q8 e-tron if you want the 569-litre boot, 664 Nm and adaptive air suspension, and can accept the higher purchase price.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want 726 km of range, 400 kW DC charging and a RM87,190 lower entry price.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q8 e-tron RM465,990; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- EV range: Audi Q8 e-tron 582 km; BMW iX3 726 km.
- DC charging: Audi Q8 e-tron 170 kW; BMW iX3 400 kW.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi Q8 e-tron 5.6 seconds; BMW iX3 4.9 seconds.
- Boot space: Audi Q8 e-tron 569 litres; BMW iX3 520 litres.
- Annual road tax: Audi Q8 e-tron RM545; BMW iX3 RM765.
Q8 e-tron
- 569-litre boot is 49 litres larger.
- Adaptive air suspension with multi-link front and rear suspension.
- 664 Nm exceeds the BMW’s 645 Nm.
- RM87,190 more expensive.
- 582 km range trails the BMW by 144 km.
- 170 kW DC charging is 230 kW below the BMW’s rate.
iX3
- RM87,190 lower purchase price.
- 726 km range and 400 kW DC charging.
- 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 210 km/h top speed.
- 520-litre boot is 49 litres smaller.
- 645 Nm is 19 Nm below the Audi.
- Rear air conditioning is limited to rear vents, unlike the Audi’s dual-zone rear climate control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM465,990 | RM378,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545✓ | RM765 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp | 463 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 664 Nm✓ | 645 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 114 kWh✓ | 113.4 kWh |
| EV Range | 582 km | 726 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 170 kW | 400 kW✓ |
| V2L | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-stage ratio planetary gearbox with a single gear | — |
| Gears | 2 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,915 mm | 4,782 mm |
| Width | 1,937 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,633 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,928 mm | 2,897 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,285 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 569 litres✓ | 520 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 255/35R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/45R21 | 275/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Hungary (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 5-Arm Black Turbine Style Alloy Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Audi pre sense front | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Matrix LED headlights | LED, with High-beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V Front, 1x front wireless charger, 2x USB-C rear, 1x 12V socket 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 |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | — |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and 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 | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | 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 | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 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 Q8 e-tron & iX3 for sale
Q8 e-tron vs iX3 FAQ
Is the Audi Q8 e-tron or BMW iX3 better?
The BMW iX3 is better for most buyers because it is RM87,190 cheaper, has 144 km more range and supports 400 kW DC charging. The Audi Q8 e-tron makes sense for its larger boot, higher torque and adaptive air suspension.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q8 e-tron costs RM87,190 more than the BMW iX3. Its lower annual road tax saves RM220 per year, which does little to offset that purchase-price gap.
Which EV charges faster?
The BMW iX3 charges faster on DC power, rated at 400 kW versus the Audi Q8 e-tron’s 170 kW. Both support 22 kW AC charging, but only the BMW has 3.7 kW vehicle-to-load capability.