Car Buyer's Guide

BMW iX vs GWM Tank 500

BMW iX

BMW iX

GWM Tank 500

GWM Tank 500

HEV Ultra

Verdict

At RM425,800, the BMW iX costs RM97,000 more than the RM328,800 GWM Tank 500, but it is the electric long-distance choice: its twin motors produce 402 hp and 700 Nm, backed by a 100.6-kWh battery, 602-km EV range and 175-kW DC charging. The Tank 500 answers a different Malaysian need with seven seats, a 75-litre fuel tank and a full-size spare, although its 98-litre boot is tight with all rows in use. Choose based on charging access and passenger count, not badge or body size alone.

iX

Pick the BMW iX if you can charge regularly and want 602 km of EV range, 402 hp and a 500-litre boot for five occupants.

Tank 500

Pick the GWM Tank 500 if you need seven seats, a 75-litre petrol tank and a full-size spare while saving RM97,000.

Key differences

  • Price: BMW iX RM425,800; GWM Tank 500 RM328,800.
  • Powertrain: BMW iX has two motors with 402 hp and 700 Nm; Tank 500 has a 1,998-cc 241-hp petrol engine plus one 105-hp, 268-Nm motor.
  • Battery and EV range: BMW iX has a 100.6-kWh battery and 602 km range; Tank 500 has a 1.75-kWh battery and no EV range figure.
  • Seating and boot space: BMW iX has 5 seats and a 500-litre boot; Tank 500 has 7 seats and a 98-litre boot.
  • Length and wheelbase: BMW iX is 4,965 mm long with a 3,000-mm wheelbase; Tank 500 is 5,070 mm long with a 2,850-mm wheelbase.
  • Manufacturer warranty: BMW iX gets 2 years; Tank 500 gets 6 years.

iX

  • 602-km EV range from a 100.6-kWh battery
  • 402 hp and 700 Nm from two motors
  • 500-litre boot and powered contactless opening
  • RM97,000 dearer
  • Five seats versus the Tank 500's seven
  • Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare

Tank 500

  • Seven seats and 75-litre fuel tank
  • Full-size spare tyre
  • Six-year manufacturer warranty
  • 98-litre boot versus 500 litres in the iX
  • No stated EV range, AC charging rate or DC charging rate
  • Manual boot and no auto parking
Price & overview
PriceRM425,800RM328,800
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentExecutiveD-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM545RM439
Powertrain
Engine Tech5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with hybrid assistance
Capacity1,998 cc
Horsepower241 hp
Torque380 Nm
FuelElectricPetrol Hybrid/REV
Number of Motors21
Motor Horsepower402 hp105 hp
Motor Torque700 Nm268 Nm
Battery Capacity100.6 kWh1.75 kWh
EV Range602 km
Charging Rate (AC)22 kW
Charging Rate (DC)175 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticConventional Automatic
Transmission NameNine-speed Hydraulic Automatic Transmission
Gears9
DrivelineAll Wheel DriveAll Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h5.1 seconds
Top Speed200 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,965 mm5,070 mm
Width1,970 mm1,934 mm
Height1,695 mm1,905 mm
Wheelbase3,000 mm2,850 mm
Weight2,525 kg
Fuel Tank75 litres
Doors55
Seats57
Boot Space500 litres98 litres
Front Tyre255/50R21265/50R20
Rear Tyre255/50R21265/50R20
Spare TyreN/A, Tyre Repair KitFull-size Spare
Factory TyresPirelli P Zero EContinental CrossContact RX
Chassis
AssemblyGermany (CBU)Thailand (CBU)
Front SuspensionDouble Wishbones with Air SuspensionDouble Wishbones
Rear SuspensionMulti-link with Air SuspensionMulti-link
Front Wheels21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys20" Alloy
Rear Wheels21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys20" Alloy
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear CurtainDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Airbag Disable Function
Child Safety LockManual For Rear DoorsManual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point7 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable for Two Outer Rear Passenger SeatsAvailable on Two Outer Second Row Seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYesYes
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsAll Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsLED Projector with High Beam AssistProjector LED Headlights
TaillampsFull LEDFull LED
LED Daytime Running Lights
Front Foglamps
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsPowered Front Seats with Memory FunctionPowered Front Seats with Massaging Function and Seat Ventilation
Rear Seats60:40 Split-folding60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, 50:50 Split Power Folding
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlSingle-zone Automatic Climate Control
SunroofPanoramic Glass RoofPanoramic Glass Roof
Power Sockets1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger
Interior LightingMap Lights & Ambient LightsMap Lights and Ambient Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear1 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row
Sun ShadePanoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades
Audio14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Push ButtonKeyless Push Button
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Headlamps
Auto Wipers
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control
Paddle Shift
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Electric Steering Adjustment
Boot OperationContactless Opening, Powered BootManual
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors6 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors6 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, 360-degree View MonitorYes, with 360-degree Camera
Auto ParkingYes
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Head-up Display
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Convenience NotesIntelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimitedUnlimited
Warranty Mileage ExtendedUnlimited
Warranty Manufacturer2 years6 years
Warranty Extended5 years
Warranty Notes8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty8-year/200,000-km High Voltage 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.

iX vs Tank 500 FAQ

Is the BMW iX or GWM Tank 500 better?

The BMW iX is better for drivers with dependable charging, delivering 602 km of EV range, 402 hp and 700 Nm. The GWM Tank 500 is better when seven seats, a 75-litre fuel tank and a full-size spare matter more than zero-tailpipe-emission driving.

What is the price difference?

The BMW iX costs RM425,800 and the GWM Tank 500 costs RM328,800, so the iX is RM97,000 more expensive.

Which has more usable family space?

The Tank 500 carries seven people, two more than the iX. But the iX has a far larger 500-litre boot, while the Tank 500 has 98 litres, so the BMW is more practical for five people travelling with luggage.

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