Verdict
At RM378,800 versus RM366,888, the BMW iX3 costs RM11,912 more but brings dual-motor all-wheel drive, 463 hp, a 113.4-kWh battery and 726 km of EV range. Its 400-kW DC capability suits buyers able to charge regularly, while the Lexus ES answers with 4.4 L/100 km rated consumption and a 55-litre petrol tank for conventional refuelling. The BMW is far quicker at 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h, but the longer ES has an extra 53 mm of wheelbase, eight airbags and a five-year warranty.
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want 726 km electric range, 400-kW DC charging and 4.9-second all-wheel-drive performance.
Pick the Lexus ES if you want a longer executive sedan with 4.4 L/100 km rated economy and five-year warranty cover.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX3 RM378,800; Lexus ES RM366,888.
- Powertrain: BMW iX3 has two motors, 463 hp and 645 Nm; Lexus ES has one motor, 201 hp and 270 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX3 4.9 seconds; Lexus ES 7.7 seconds.
- Energy use: BMW iX3 has a 113.4-kWh battery and 726 km EV range; Lexus ES is rated at 4.4 L/100 km with a 55-litre tank.
- Dimensions: BMW iX3 is 4,782 mm long with a 2,897-mm wheelbase; Lexus ES is 5,140 mm long with a 2,950-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: BMW iX3 520 litres; Lexus ES 493 litres.
iX3
- 726 km EV range with 400-kW DC charging
- 463 hp, 645 Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive
- 520-litre boot and 22-inch wheels
- Costs RM11,912 more
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
- Seven airbags versus eight
ES
- 4.4 L/100 km rated fuel economy
- Five-year manufacturer warranty and eight airbags
- Heated and ventilated front seats with 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio
- 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the BMW's 4.9 seconds
- 493-litre boot is 27 litres smaller
- No EV range or AC/DC charging capability
What the iX3 has over the ES
What the ES 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.
The ES's wheelbase is 53 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800 | RM366,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765✓ | RM867 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,865/mo | RM3,745/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM10,097 | RM9,886✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,388✓ | RM1,751 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.94✓ | RM8.76 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM61,248✓ | RM62,519 |
| 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 | A25A-FXS 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance; sixth-generation Lexus Hybrid System with 68-cell 251.6V lithium-ion battery; 247 PS (244 hp) total system output |
| Capacity | — | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 186 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 235 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 463 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm✓ | 270 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 | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | E-CVT |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 4.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 200 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 101 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 5,140 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 2,950 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 493 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Primacy 5 Energy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | — |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 19" Medium Grey Metallic Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 19" Medium Grey Metallic Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Electric Power Steering with Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Revised TNGA GA-K platform; MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear (first ES with multi-link); electric power steering with variable gear ratio |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Safety Notes | — | Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, Emergency Steering Assist (ESA) with Active Support, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Traffic Movement Notification (TMN), Safe Exit Assist (SEA), Vehicle Approach Notice, Parking Support Alert / Parking Support Brake (PKSB), Active Cornering Assist (ACA), Secondary Collision Brake (SCB), Vehicle Braking Posture Control, Emergency Brake Signal, Brake Assist (BA), Brake Hold, Tyre Pressure Warning System, Intruder and Tilt Sensors |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED, with High-beam Assistant | Slim LED Headlamps with Twin L-Signature, Auto Levelling and Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Light Bar with Illuminated Lexus Logo |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory | 8-way Powered Driver's Seat with Memory and Power Easy Access, 8-way Powered Passenger Seat, 2-way Lumbar, 3-level Heating and Ventilation, Perforated Synthetic Leather |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Fold-down Centre Armrest with Cup Holders, Adjustable Headrests |
| Front Air-con | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge, S-Flow Control and nanoe |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing | Slim Panoramic Roof with Single Movable Glass |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 2 USB-C (60W) Front, 12V in Console Box, 2 USB-C (45W) Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Omotenashi Ambient Lighting (64 Colours, 6 Dynamic Themes) |
| Cup Holders | 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" Full HD Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound, 17 Speakers + Subwoofer, Active Noise Control |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Comfort Access) | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | Yes, with Parking Support Brake |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | Yes, with Parking Support Brake |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking | Yes, Lexus Teammate Advanced Park |
| 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 | Responsive Hidden Switches, Heated Steering Wheel, Qi Wireless Charger, Digital Rear View Mirror, Electro-Shiftmatic Shift-by-wire with EV Mode Switch, Drive Modes (Normal, Eco, Sport, Custom), Auto-dimming Driver's Wing Mirror with Memory and Reverse-linked Tilt, Front Door Scuff Plates |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | RM399,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package | 8-year hybrid components 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. 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 November 2026.
Used iX3 & ES for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW iX3
Lexus ES
iX3 vs ES FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or Lexus ES better?
The BMW iX3 is better for electric driving, performance and luggage space, with 726 km range, 463 hp and a 520-litre boot. The Lexus ES is better for petrol-hybrid running, a longer body and five-year warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM11,912 more than the Lexus ES. That gap brings dual-motor all-wheel drive, a 113.4-kWh battery, 726 km of EV range and 400-kW DC charging.
Which is quicker, the BMW iX3 or Lexus ES?
The BMW iX3 is decisively quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds against 7.7 seconds for the Lexus ES. It also has 463 hp and 645 Nm, compared with the ES's 201 hp and 270 Nm motor output.
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.