Verdict
At near-identical money, the BMW iX3 is the more rounded Malaysian choice. Its two motors produce 463 hp and 645 Nm, cutting 0-100 km/h to 4.9 seconds against the Mercedes-Benz EQE’s 6.4 seconds. The BMW also reaches 726 km on a charge, has a 520-litre boot and accepts up to 400 kW DC charging for interstate runs. The EQE answers with rear-wheel steering, a longer 3,120-mm wheelbase, Digital Light headlamps and a four-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Its RM305 annual road tax is far easier on the wallet than the BMW’s RM765.
iX3
Pick the BMW iX3 if you want much stronger performance, a 726-km range, 400-kW DC charging and a larger 520-litre boot.
EQE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQE if you prefer a sedan with rear-wheel steering, a longer warranty and substantially lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Motor configuration: BMW iX3 has 2 motors; Mercedes-Benz EQE has 1 motor.
- Motor output: BMW iX3 makes 463 hp; Mercedes-Benz EQE makes 288 hp.
- EV range: BMW iX3 is rated at 726 km; Mercedes-Benz EQE is rated at 669 km.
- DC charging rate: BMW iX3 supports 400 kW; Mercedes-Benz EQE supports 170 kW.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX3 takes 4.9 seconds; Mercedes-Benz EQE takes 6.4 seconds.
- Annual road tax: BMW iX3 costs RM765; Mercedes-Benz EQE costs RM305.
iX3
- 463 hp and 645 Nm from two motors
- 400-kW DC charging and 726-km range
- 520-litre boot and 3.7-kW V2L
- RM765 annual road tax versus RM305
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty versus four years
EQE
- Rear-wheel steering and 3,120-mm wheelbase
- Digital Light with projection function
- Four-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus 10-year/250,000-km battery warranty
- 170-kW DC charging versus 400 kW
- 430-litre boot versus 520 litres
- 288 hp and a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800✓ | RM379,888 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 463 hp✓ | 288 hp |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm✓ | 565 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 113.4 kWh✓ | 90.6 kWh |
| EV Range | 726 km✓ | 669 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW✓ | 170.0 kW |
| V2L | 3.7 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 6.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 4,946 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,961 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 3,120 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | 2,355 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 430 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension, Rear Wheel Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Driver's Knee |
| 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED, with High-beam Assistant | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated |
| 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 | Dual-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 | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| 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 | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround 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 with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| 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 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 | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | RM399,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package | 10-year/250,000-km Warranty 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 & EQE for sale
iX3 vs EQE FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or Mercedes-Benz EQE better?
The BMW iX3 is the better all-round pick for performance, range, charging speed and boot space. Choose the Mercedes-Benz EQE for its sedan layout, rear-wheel steering, longer warranty and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX3 costs RM378,800 and the Mercedes-Benz EQE costs RM379,888, so the BMW is RM1,088 cheaper.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE has lower annual road tax at RM305, compared with RM765 for the BMW iX3.