Verdict
The BMW i4 is the sharper financial choice for a Malaysian buyer: the RM84,000 saving and RM305 annual road tax versus RM765 leave substantial room for home charging or options. Its 70.3-kWh battery still delivers 500 km of range, but the BMW iX3 changes the brief with 726 km, 400-kW DC charging and 463 hp from two motors. The SUV is also only 1 mm shorter yet brings a 520-litre boot and 187 mm more height. Pick the i4 for the lower-cost electric executive car; pay for the iX3 if range, charging speed and SUV practicality are priorities.
Pick the BMW i4 if RM294,800, RM305 yearly road tax and a lighter 2,075-kg rear-wheel-drive sedan suit your needs.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want 726 km of range, 400-kW DC charging, all-wheel drive and a 520-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- Motor output: BMW i4 282 hp and 400 Nm; BMW iX3 463 hp and 645 Nm.
- Battery and range: BMW i4 70.3 kWh and 500 km; BMW iX3 113.4 kWh and 726 km.
- Charging: BMW i4 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC; BMW iX3 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC.
- Performance: BMW i4 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and 190 km/h; BMW iX3 4.9 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; BMW iX3 520 litres.
i4
- RM84,000 lower purchase price
- RM305 yearly road tax versus RM765
- 210 kg lighter at 2,075 kg
- 500 km range trails the iX3's 726 km
- 180-kW DC charging trails the iX3's 400 kW
- Rear-wheel drive and 282 hp versus all-wheel drive and 463 hp
iX3
- 726 km electric range from a 113.4-kWh battery
- 400-kW DC and 22-kW AC charging
- 520-litre boot, panoramic sunroof and 3.7-kW V2L
- RM84,000 higher purchase price
- RM765 yearly road tax versus RM305
- Heavier at 2,285 kg versus 2,075 kg
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM378,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM765 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | 463 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | 645 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | 113.4 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 500 km | 726 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 22 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | 400 kW✓ |
| V2L | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,782 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,897 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 2,285 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 255/35R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 275/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Hungary (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 22" Alloys (9J) |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 22" Alloys (9.5J) |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front 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 | Manual for rear doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED, with High-beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | 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 | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Ambient Light |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker 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 & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go |
| 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 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | 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 Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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 i4 & iX3 for sale
i4 vs iX3 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or BMW iX3 better?
The BMW iX3 is better for long-distance EV use, with 726 km range, 400-kW DC charging and all-wheel drive. The BMW i4 is the better financial choice, costing RM84,000 less with much lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM84,000 more than the BMW i4: RM378,800 versus RM294,800.
Which BMW charges faster?
The BMW iX3 charges faster on both systems, supporting 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC. The BMW i4 supports 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC.