Verdict
The BMW iX costs RM97,000 more than the GAC M8, but it is the much quicker 5.1-second EV, with 602 km of electric range and 175 kW DC charging. The M8 answers with seven seats, a 3,070 mm wheelbase and power sliding doors, while its plug-in hybrid system has a 56-litre petrol tank for trips beyond its 106 km EV range. Pick the iX for electric performance; pick the M8 when carrying people matters more.
iX
Pick the BMW iX if you want 402 hp, 700 Nm, all-wheel drive and a genuine 602 km EV range.
M8
Pick the GAC M8 if seven seats, captain’s chairs, power sliding doors and a lower entry price matter more than outright pace.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX RM425,800; GAC M8 RM328,800.
- Electric range: BMW iX 602 km; GAC M8 106 km.
- DC charging: BMW iX 175 kW; GAC M8 40 kW.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX 5.1 seconds; GAC M8 8.8 seconds.
- Seating: BMW iX five seats; GAC M8 seven seats.
- Boot space: BMW iX 500 litres; GAC M8 280 litres.
iX
- 602 km EV range with a 100.6 kWh battery
- 402 hp, 700 Nm and all-wheel drive
- Air suspension, head-up display and auto parking
- RM97,000 pricier
- Five seats versus seven
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
M8
- Seven seats with second-row captain’s chairs
- Power sliding doors and rear window shades
- Five-year, 150,000 km manufacturer warranty
- 106 km EV range versus 602 km
- 40 kW DC charging versus 175 kW
- 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.1 seconds
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM425,800 | RM328,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance |
| Horsepower | — | 187 hp |
| Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp✓ | 179 hp |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm✓ | 300 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 100.6 kWh✓ | 25.57 kWh |
| EV Range | 602 km✓ | 106 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 175 kW✓ | 40 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 2-DHT |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.1 seconds✓ | 8.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,965 mm | 5,212 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,893 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 3,070 mm |
| Weight | 2,525 kg | 2,420 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 56 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R21 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R21 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero E | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| 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 and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 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 | LED Projector with High Beam Assist | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Power Sliding Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Intelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (Battery) |
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 iX & M8 for sale
iX vs M8 FAQ
Is the BMW iX or GAC M8 better?
The BMW iX is better for long-range electric driving, performance and a 500-litre boot. The GAC M8 is better if you need seven seats, captain’s chairs and power sliding doors.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX is RM425,800 and the GAC M8 is RM328,800, so the BMW costs RM97,000 more.
Which one charges faster?
The BMW iX charges far faster: 22 kW AC and 175 kW DC, against the GAC M8’s 6.6 kW AC and 40 kW DC rates. Its EV range is also 602 km versus 106 km.