Verdict
At RM378,800, the BMW iX3 costs RM10,132 more than the RM368,668 Kia EV9, but its 113.4-kWh battery delivers a claimed 726 km against 505 km and accepts 22-kW AC and 400-kW DC charging. That is a meaningful advantage for frequent interstate EV use. The EV9 counters with seven seats, a 3,100-mm wheelbase and a five-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty, where the iX3 has five seats and two years of unlimited-mileage cover. For a large family, the Kia’s extra row matters more; for range, charging and a 520-litre boot, take the BMW.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want 726 km of claimed range, 400-kW DC charging and a 520-litre boot in a five-seat SUV.
Pick the Kia EV9 if you need seven seats, a 3,100-mm wheelbase and five years/150,000 km of vehicle warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX3 RM378,800; Kia EV9 RM368,668.
- EV range: BMW iX3 726 km; Kia EV9 505 km.
- Battery capacity: BMW iX3 113.4 kWh; Kia EV9 99.8 kWh.
- Charging: BMW iX3 22 kW AC and 400 kW DC; Kia EV9 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC.
- Seating and boot space: BMW iX3 five seats and 520 litres; Kia EV9 seven seats and 333 litres.
- Warranty: BMW iX3 two years/unlimited mileage; Kia EV9 five years/150,000 km.
iX3
- 726-km claimed EV range from a 113.4-kWh battery.
- 22-kW AC and 400-kW DC charging.
- 520-litre boot and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Five seats versus the EV9’s seven.
- 645 Nm versus the EV9’s 700 Nm.
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus five years/150,000 km.
EV9
- Seven seats with ISOFIX in the second and third rows.
- Five-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty, plus eight years/160,000 km for the battery.
- Powered front seats with memory, massage and heating.
- 505-km claimed range versus the iX3’s 726 km.
- 11-kW AC and 350-kW DC charging versus 22 kW and 400 kW.
- 333-litre boot versus the iX3’s 520 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800 | RM368,668✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765 | RM515✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture | E-GMP platform, 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 463 hp✓ | 380 hp |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm | 700 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 113.4 kWh✓ | 99.8 kWh |
| EV Range | 726 km✓ | 505 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW✓ | 350 kW |
| V2L | 3.7 kW | 3.6 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 5,015 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,980 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 3,100 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | 2,648 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 333 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 285/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 285/45R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental PremiumContact C |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) with FlexSteer adjustment (Comfort/Normal/Sport) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Automatic For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats in Second and Third Row |
| Autonomous Braking System | 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory and Massage Settings, Heating |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| Front Air-con | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control with 3rd Row Air Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 2 Sockets, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Glass Roof and 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 | 12.3" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Meridian Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-PinchFour Windows, Driver's Side 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 with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with Surround View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking | Yes, Remote Parking Assist |
| 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✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | RM399,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package | 8 years/160,000 km for EV 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 iX3 & EV9 for sale
iX3 vs EV9 FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or Kia EV9 better?
The BMW iX3 is better for claimed range, charging speed and boot capacity. The Kia EV9 is better for buyers who require seven seats, third-row ISOFIX and longer vehicle warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The Kia EV9 is RM10,132 less expensive than the BMW iX3. The BMW’s extra spend brings a 113.4-kWh battery, 726-km claimed range, 22-kW AC charging and 400-kW DC charging.
Which is better for charging and long-distance travel?
The BMW iX3 is the clearer long-distance choice: it claims 726 km of range, compared with 505 km for the EV9, and supports 22-kW AC and 400-kW DC charging against 11 kW and 350 kW.