Verdict
The BMW X3 costs RM325,800, undercutting the RM406,800 BMW X4 by RM81,000 while retaining 1,998 cc power, all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic. Its mild-hybrid 188 hp/310 Nm drivetrain is materially slower, taking 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h against the X4’s 249 hp/350 Nm and 6.3 seconds. The X3 is the more rational Malaysian daily driver with a 570-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. The X4 justifies its extra outlay with pace, 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, panoramic sunroof and stronger active-safety hardware.
Pick the BMW X3 if RM81,000 saved, a 570-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera matter more than outright acceleration.
Pick the BMW X4 if you want 249 hp, a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time, adaptive suspension and the extra cabin kit.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; BMW X4 RM406,800.
- Power and torque: BMW X3 188 hp and 310 Nm; BMW X4 249 hp and 350 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW X3 8.5 seconds and 215 km/h; BMW X4 6.3 seconds and 240 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW X3 570 litres; BMW X4 525 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: BMW X3 19-inch wheels with 245/50R19 tyres front and rear; BMW X4 21-inch wheels with 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear.
- Driver assistance: BMW X3 has adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera; BMW X4 has passive cruise control and a reverse camera.
X3
- RM81,000 lower purchase price.
- 570-litre boot, 45 litres larger.
- Adaptive cruise control and 360-degree view monitor.
- 188 hp and 310 Nm trail the X4’s 249 hp and 350 Nm, with 0-100 km/h taking 8.5 seconds instead of 6.3 seconds.
- No panoramic sunroof, adaptive suspension or adaptive LED headlamps with automatic high beam.
X4
- 249 hp, 350 Nm and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive suspension, 21-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof.
- Adaptive LED headlamps, pedestrian-detecting autonomous braking and rear cross-traffic alert.
- Costs RM81,000 more.
- 525-litre boot is 45 litres smaller.
- Passive cruise control and a reverse camera trail the X3’s adaptive cruise control and 360-degree view monitor.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800✓ | RM406,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 249 hp✓ |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | 8 Speed Steptronic Sport Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 8.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 192 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,918 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,864 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 65 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 525 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 245/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 275/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Pirelli P Zero Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 60 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Collision Prevention |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting (6 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 12.3" Touchscreen BMW Operating System 7.0 with iDrive Touch Controller, Voice Control and 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (464 Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| 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 | — | Auto-dimming Mirrors |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
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 X3 & X4 for sale
X3 vs X4 FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or BMW X4 better?
The BMW X3 is better for space, lower spend and daily-driving assistance, with a 570-litre boot, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera. Choose the BMW X4 for its 249 hp output, 6.3-second sprint and adaptive suspension.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X4 costs RM81,000 more than the BMW X3: RM406,800 versus RM325,800.
Which is quicker, the BMW X3 or BMW X4?
The BMW X4 is decisively quicker. Its 249 hp and 350 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time to 6.3 seconds, versus 188 hp, 310 Nm and 8.5 seconds for the BMW X3; its top speed is 240 km/h against 215 km/h.