Verdict
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800, RM53,000 above the RM325,800 BMW X3, but that money brings a 463 hp, 645 Nm twin-motor drivetrain and a claimed 726 km EV range. Its 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time is far ahead of the X3’s 8.5 seconds, and 400 kW DC charging suits buyers with access to high-power chargers. The X3 answers with local CKD assembly, a larger 570-litre boot and lower RM439 annual road tax versus RM765. For a Malaysian buyer unable to charge regularly, the petrol mild-hybrid X3 remains the simpler choice.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you can charge at home or work and want 463 hp, 726 km of EV range and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
Pick the BMW X3 if you want to spend RM53,000 less, carry more in its 570-litre boot and avoid charging planning.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX3 RM378,800; BMW X3 RM325,800.
- Power and torque: BMW iX3 463 hp and 645 Nm; BMW X3 188 hp and 310 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX3 4.9 seconds; BMW X3 8.5 seconds.
- Energy storage/range: BMW iX3 113.4 kWh battery and 726 km EV range; BMW X3 1,998 cc petrol engine.
- Boot space: BMW iX3 520 litres; BMW X3 570 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW iX3 RM765; BMW X3 RM439.
iX3
- 463 hp and 645 Nm from two motors
- 726 km EV range and 400 kW DC charging
- Seven airbags, 22-inch wheels and 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- RM53,000 dearer to buy
- 520-litre boot is 50 litres smaller
- RM765 annual road tax is RM326 higher
X3
- RM53,000 lower purchase price
- 570-litre boot
- CKD Malaysian assembly and lower RM439 annual road tax
- 188 hp and 310 Nm trail the iX3’s 463 hp and 645 Nm
- 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.6 seconds slower
- No EV driving range, battery or DC charging capability
What the iX3 has over the X3
What the X3 has over the iX3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Boot space favours the X3: 570 litres against 520.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800 | RM325,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765 | RM439✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,865/mo | RM3,325/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM10,097 | RM8,784✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,388 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.94 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM61,248 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 5.2 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 20 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V 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 | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 463 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 113.4 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 726 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.7 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 8.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 215 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 4,755 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 570 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 245/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 245/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger 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 | LED, with High-beam Assistant | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory | Powered Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging | 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 (Comfort Access) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking | Yes |
| 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 | — | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 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. 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 October 2026.
Used iX3 & X3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW iX3
BMW X3
iX3 vs X3 FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or BMW X3 better?
The iX3 is better if dependable charging is part of your routine: it delivers 463 hp, 726 km of EV range and 4.9-second acceleration. Choose the X3 for lower upfront cost, a 570-litre boot and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM53,000 more than the BMW X3. That gap buys the iX3’s twin-motor electric drivetrain, 113.4 kWh battery, 726 km range and 400 kW DC charging capability.
Which one is quicker?
The BMW iX3 is decisively quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds versus 8.5 seconds for the BMW X3. The iX3 has 463 hp and 645 Nm, against 188 hp and 310 Nm.
How long does charging take?
The iX3's 113.4 kWh battery takes about 5.2 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 400 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The X3 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the iX3 is fully imported (CBU) from Hungary. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.