Verdict
At RM378,800, the BMW iX3 costs RM10,912 more than the RM367,888 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but it is the clear choice for EV driving: its two motors produce 463 hp and 645 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds against the E-Class’ 7.5 seconds. Its 113.4-kWh battery claims 726 km of range and accepts 22-kW AC or 400-kW DC charging. The E-Class counters with a lower RM380 annual road tax, a 540-litre boot and four-year warranty. It is the more conventional executive sedan choice.
iX3
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want 726 km of claimed EV range, 400-kW DC charging and 4.9-second acceleration.
E-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you prefer a RM367,888 CKD executive sedan with a 540-litre boot and four-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX3 RM378,800; Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888.
- Powertrain: BMW iX3 has two motors with 463 hp and 645 Nm; E-Class has a 201-hp 1,999-cc turbo engine plus a 23-hp, 205-Nm motor.
- Acceleration: BMW iX3 does 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds; E-Class takes 7.5 seconds.
- EV hardware: BMW iX3 has a 113.4-kWh battery, 726 km range, 22-kW AC and 400-kW DC charging; E-Class has no stated battery, EV range or charging rate.
- Driveline: BMW iX3 is all-wheel drive; E-Class is rear-wheel drive.
- Warranty and boot: BMW iX3 has a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty and 520-litre boot; E-Class has a four-year unlimited-mileage warranty and 540-litre boot.
iX3
- 463 hp and 645 Nm from two motors
- 726 km claimed range; 22-kW AC and 400-kW DC charging
- AWD, head-up display and panoramic sunroof
- RM765 annual road tax versus RM380
- Two-year warranty versus four years
- 520-litre boot is 20 litres smaller
E-Class
- RM10,912 lower purchase price
- 540-litre boot and 2,961-mm wheelbase
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time versus 4.9 seconds
- Rear-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive
- No panoramic sunroof or head-up display
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800 | RM367,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765 | RM380✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp |
| Torque | — | 320 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 463 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm✓ | 205 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 | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Daimler AG |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 4,949 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 2,961 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | 1,825 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 66 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 540 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 245/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 275/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear 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 | 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 | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam |
| 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 Driver Side Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun 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 | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Comfort Access) | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| 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 Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 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.
Used iX3 & E-Class for sale
iX3 vs E-Class FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or Mercedes-Benz E-Class better?
The BMW iX3 is better for electric range, charging and outright performance, with 726 km claimed range and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The E-Class is better for a lower entry price, lower annual road tax, a larger boot and longer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM10,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class: RM378,800 versus RM367,888.
Which one is quicker?
The BMW iX3 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class takes 7.5 seconds, although its 240-km/h top speed exceeds the iX3’s 210 km/h.