Verdict
The BMW i4 is the sharper financial choice at RM294,800, undercutting the BMW iX3 by RM84,000 while keeping annual road tax to RM305 rather than RM765. Its 500 km range, 180 kW DC charging and 470-litre boot are still substantial for a five-seat compact executive. The iX3 justifies its higher outlay if its SUV format fits your use: 726 km range from a 113.4 kWh battery, 400 kW DC charging, all-wheel drive and a 520-litre boot are meaningful gains. It is also much quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds against 6.0 seconds.
Pick the BMW i4 if RM84,000 saved, lower RM305 annual road tax and a lower 2,075 kg sedan matter more than maximum range and SUV space.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you need 726 km range, 400 kW DC charging, all-wheel drive and a 520-litre SUV boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- 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/180 kW DC; BMW iX3 22 kW AC/400 kW DC.
- Motor output and drive: BMW i4 282 hp, 400 Nm, rear-wheel drive; BMW iX3 463 hp, 645 Nm, all-wheel drive.
- Performance: BMW i4 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and 190 km/h; BMW iX3 4.9 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Practicality: BMW i4 470-litre boot and 1,448 mm height; BMW iX3 520 litres and 1,635 mm height.
i4
- RM84,000 lower purchase price
- RM305 annual road tax versus RM765
- Lighter 2,075 kg kerb weight
- 500 km range trails the iX3's 726 km
- 180 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging are lower than 400 kW and 22 kW
- 470-litre boot is 50 litres smaller
iX3
- 726 km claimed EV range
- 463 hp, 645 Nm and all-wheel drive
- 400 kW DC charging plus 3.7 kW V2L
- Costs RM84,000 more
- RM765 annual road tax is RM460 higher
- At 2,285 kg, it is 210 kg heavier
| 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 | 5 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 i4 is better for purchase price and annual road tax. The BMW iX3 is better for long-distance EV use, with 726 km range, 400 kW DC charging, all-wheel drive and a larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800 and the BMW i4 costs RM294,800, so the gap is RM84,000. The iX3 also carries RM765 annual road tax, compared with RM305 for the i4.
Which BMW has faster charging?
The BMW iX3 has the higher charging ratings: 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC, versus the BMW i4's 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC. It also has 3.7 kW vehicle-to-load capability, which the i4 lacks.