Verdict
At RM378,800, the BMW iX3 costs RM50,000 more than the RM328,800 GWM Tank 500, but it is the choice for drivers able to use EV charging: its 113.4-kWh battery is rated for 726 km and accepts up to 400 kW DC or 22 kW AC. The Tank 500 answers a different Malaysian family brief, with seven seats, a 75-litre fuel tank and a full-size spare. It is also 288 mm longer, yet its 98-litre boot is far smaller than the BMW’s 520 litres. The BMW’s 463-hp, 645-Nm dual-motor AWD setup also has a claimed 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
iX3
Pick the BMW iX3 if you can charge regularly and want 726 km of EV range, a 520-litre boot and 463 hp from two motors.
Tank 500
Pick the GWM Tank 500 if seven seats, a 75-litre fuel tank, full-size spare and a six-year vehicle warranty matter more than EV range.
Key differences
- Powertrain: BMW iX3 has two motors producing 463 hp and 645 Nm; GWM Tank 500 has a 1,998-cc turbo hybrid engine rated at 241 hp and 380 Nm plus one 105-hp,…
- Energy storage: BMW iX3 uses a 113.4-kWh battery with 726 km EV range; GWM Tank 500 has a 1.75-kWh battery and 75-litre fuel tank.
- Charging: BMW iX3 supports 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC; GWM Tank 500 has no AC or DC charging rate listed.
- Seating: BMW iX3 seats 5; GWM Tank 500 seats 7.
- Boot space: BMW iX3 has 520 litres; GWM Tank 500 has 98 litres.
- Warranty: BMW iX3 has a 2-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty; GWM Tank 500 has a 6-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
iX3
- 726 km claimed EV range from a 113.4-kWh battery
- 463 hp and 645 Nm from two motors, with 4.9-second 0-100 km/h
- 520-litre boot and 400 kW DC charging
- Five seats versus the Tank 500’s seven
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus six years
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare
Tank 500
- Seven seats and seven three-point seat belts
- Six-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty, plus 8-year/200,000-km high-voltage battery warranty
- Full-size spare, ventilated massaging front seats and rear window shades
- 98-litre boot versus the iX3’s 520 litres
- No quoted EV range, AC charging rate or DC charging rate
- Lower 105-hp, 268-Nm motor output than the iX3’s 463 hp and 645 Nm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800 | RM328,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765 | RM439✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 241 hp |
| Torque | — | 380 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 463 hp✓ | 105 hp |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm✓ | 268 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 113.4 kWh✓ | 1.75 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 | — | Nine-speed Hydraulic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 5,070 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,934 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,905 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 98 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 265/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 265/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size Spare |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental CrossContact RX |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Second Row 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 | Projector LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory | Powered Front Seats with Massaging Function and Seat Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, 50:50 Split Power 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 | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System |
| 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Manual |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | 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 Manufacturer | 2 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | RM399,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package | 8-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.
Used iX3 & Tank 500 for sale
iX3 vs Tank 500 FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or GWM Tank 500 better?
The iX3 is better for regular EV use, with 726 km of claimed range, 400 kW DC charging and a 520-litre boot. The Tank 500 is better when seven seats, a fuel tank and a full-size spare are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM50,000 more than the GWM Tank 500.
Which one is better for carrying people and luggage?
The Tank 500 carries seven people, two more than the iX3. But the iX3 has a 520-litre boot versus 98 litres in the Tank 500, so it is the stronger luggage carrier on the stated figures.