Verdict
The BMW i5 is the lower-cost executive sedan, with RM395 annual road tax and a 2,995 mm wheelbase, while the BMW iX3 asks RM370 more in road tax for SUV packaging and a 520-litre boot. The iX3’s extra RM10,000 buys two motors, all-wheel drive, 463 hp, 726 km of range and 400 kW DC charging; it is materially quicker too, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. Choose the i5 for its sedan format, lower running tax and stronger rear-seat climate and audio specification. The iX3 is the long-distance, faster-charging pick.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the RM10,000 cheaper sedan with lower RM395 annual road tax, 3-zone climate control and the 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you need 726 km of range, 400 kW DC charging, all-wheel drive and a 520-litre SUV boot.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; BMW iX3 RM378,800.
- Motor output: BMW i5 335 hp and 430 Nm; BMW iX3 463 hp and 645 Nm.
- Battery and range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh and 627 km; BMW iX3 113.4 kWh and 726 km.
- DC charging: BMW i5 205 kW; BMW iX3 400 kW.
- Performance: BMW i5 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; BMW iX3 in 4.9 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; BMW iX3 520 litres.
i5
- RM10,000 lower purchase price and RM395 annual road tax.
- 3-zone automatic climate control, rear climate control and rear window sun shades.
- 18-speaker, 655W Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
- 627 km range is 99 km short of the iX3.
- 205 kW DC charging is 195 kW below the iX3.
- Rear-wheel drive, 335 hp and 430 Nm trail the iX3’s all-wheel-drive, 463 hp and 645 Nm setup.
iX3
- 726 km range from a 113.4 kWh battery.
- 400 kW DC charging, 3.7 kW V2L and all-wheel drive.
- 463 hp and 645 Nm deliver a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time; boot space is 520 litres.
- RM378,800 price is RM10,000 higher, and annual road tax is RM765 versus RM395.
- Rear air conditioning is limited to rear vents, where the i5 has rear climate control.
- Its 13-speaker, 430W Harman Kardon system is less powerful than the i5’s 18-speaker, 655W Bowers & Wilkins setup.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM378,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | 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 | 335 hp | 463 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 645 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 113.4 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km | 726 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 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 | 193 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,782 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,897 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,285 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 255/35R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 275/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Hungary (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 22" Alloys (9J) |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 22" Alloys (9.5J) |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, 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 outer rear 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 | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED, with High-beam Assistant |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports 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 |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) | 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | Yes |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | Yes |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | 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 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | 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 i5 & iX3 for sale
i5 vs iX3 FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or BMW iX3 better?
The BMW iX3 is better for range, charging speed, performance and SUV practicality, with 726 km, 400 kW DC charging and 463 hp. The BMW i5 makes more sense if you prefer a sedan, lower road tax and its richer rear comfort equipment.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 and the BMW iX3 costs RM378,800, so the iX3 is RM10,000 more expensive.
Which BMW EV charges faster?
The BMW iX3 charges faster on DC power, rated at 400 kW versus 205 kW for the BMW i5. Both have 22 kW AC charging capability.