Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the sharper value call at RM265,800, leaving a RM130,088 gap to the RM395,888 Lexus NX. Both make 184 hp, but the BMW’s 300 Nm, 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 235 km/h top speed beat the Lexus’s 221 Nm, 7.7 seconds and 200 km/h. The NX counters with all-wheel drive, a 520-litre boot, ventilated front seats and a five-year warranty. For a Malaysian buyer wanting a lower road-tax bill of RM379 versus RM830, the 3 Series makes the stronger case; choose the NX for SUV access and its extra equipment.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the RM130,088 saving, quicker 7.4-second acceleration and lower RM379 annual road tax.
Pick the Lexus NX if you need an all-wheel-drive SUV with a 520-litre boot, ventilated front seats and a five-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; Lexus NX RM395,888.
- Torque and 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 300 Nm and 7.4 seconds; Lexus NX 221 Nm and 7.7 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; Lexus NX all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Lexus NX 520 litres.
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series two years plus five-year extended coverage; Lexus NX five years.
- Road tax per year: BMW 3 Series RM379; Lexus NX RM830.
3 Series
- RM130,088 cheaper
- 300 Nm and 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio and auto parking
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
- 480-litre boot versus 520 litres
- No ventilated front seats or adaptive cruise control
NX
- All-wheel drive and 520-litre boot
- Ventilated front seats and panoramic-view camera
- Five-year manufacturer warranty
- RM130,088 more expensive
- 221 Nm, 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time and 200 km/h top speed trail the BMW
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM379
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800✓ | RM 395,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 184 hp |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 221 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 133 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 208 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-Ion |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,765 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | 3 LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| 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 | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379✓ | RM 830 |
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 3 Series & NX for sale
3 Series vs NX FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Lexus NX better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for performance and running costs, with 300 Nm, 7.4-second acceleration and RM379 road tax. The Lexus NX is better if you need SUV packaging, all-wheel drive, a 520-litre boot and five-year warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX costs RM130,088 more than the BMW 3 Series: RM395,888 against RM265,800.
Which has more practical luggage space?
The Lexus NX has the larger boot at 520 litres, 40 litres more than the BMW 3 Series’ 480 litres. It also has five doors, while the BMW is a four-door sedan.