Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 costs RM31,000 less than the RM325,800 BMW X3, yet its 282 hp/400 Nm motor reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds against 8.5 seconds. Its 70.3 kWh battery claims 500 km and accepts 11 kW AC or 180 kW DC charging, making it the sharper choice for a Malaysian buyer with dependable charging. The X3 counters with all-wheel drive, a 570-litre boot and SUV practicality, but its RM439 annual road tax is RM134 higher than the i4’s RM305.
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge at home or work and want 500 km EV range, 6.0-second pace and a lower RM305 annual road tax.
Pick the BMW X3 if you need all-wheel drive, a 570-litre boot and the taller 1,660 mm SUV body.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BMW X3 RM325,800.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 has one 282 hp/400 Nm electric motor and a 70.3 kWh battery; BMW X3 has a 1,998 cc 188 hp/310 Nm mild-hybrid turbo four-cylinder.
- Acceleration: BMW i4 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; BMW X3 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW i4 rear-wheel drive; BMW X3 all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; BMW X3 570 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW i4 RM305; BMW X3 RM439.
i4
- RM31,000 lower purchase price
- 282 hp and 400 Nm deliver a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 500 km range, 180 kW DC charging and a 10-speaker HiFi system
- 470-litre boot is 100 litres smaller
- Rear-wheel drive rather than the X3’s all-wheel drive
- No wireless charger
X3
- 570-litre boot
- All-wheel drive
- Rear single-zone automatic climate control and contactless powered boot opening
- Costs RM31,000 more
- 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time trails the i4 by 2.5 seconds
- RM439 annual road tax is RM134 higher
What the X3 has over the i4
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The X3 is 68 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the X3: 570 litres against 470.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM325,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM439 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,010/mo✓ | RM3,325/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,913✓ | RM8,784 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,249 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.25 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM47,335 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 6.4 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 25 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 188 hp at 4,400 rpm |
| Torque | — | 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 500 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 8.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 215 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,755 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 570 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 245/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 245/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | 24 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | 19 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) |
| 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 for 2nd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear 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 Projector |
| 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 | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used i4 & X3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW i4
BMW X3
i4 vs X3 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or BMW X3 better?
The BMW i4 is better for buyers with regular charging access: it is cheaper, reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and has 500 km of claimed range. The BMW X3 is better if all-wheel drive and its 570-litre boot matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X3 costs RM31,000 more than the BMW i4.
Can the BMW i4 charge quickly on long trips?
Yes. The BMW i4 supports DC charging at up to 180 kW and AC charging at up to 11 kW. Its 70.3 kWh battery has a claimed 500 km range.
How long does charging take?
The i4's 70.3 kWh battery takes about 6.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 180 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The X3 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the i4 is fully imported (CBU) from Germany. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.