BMW X3 vs GWM Tank 500
Verdict
The GWM Tank 500 costs RM328,800, only RM8,000 more than the RM320,800 BMW X3, but the two do different jobs. The BMW X3 is the neater five-seat SUV: 4,755 mm long, 570 litres of boot space, a powered hands-free tailgate and auto parking. The GWM Tank 500 is much larger at 5,070 mm, has seven seats, a ladder-frame chassis, a full-size spare and far more output at 241 hp and 380 Nm, plus a 105 hp motor. For Malaysia, this is family capacity versus everyday ease.
Pick the BMW X3 if you want a smaller five-seat SUV with a bigger stated boot, hands-free powered tailgate, auto parking and proven 0-100 km/h and top-speed figures.
Pick the GWM Tank 500 if you need seven seats, stronger petrol-hybrid outputs, a full-size spare and more cabin equipment for only RM8,000 extra.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM320,800; GWM Tank 500 RM328,800
- Output: BMW X3 188 hp/310 Nm; GWM Tank 500 241 hp/380 Nm plus 105 hp/268 Nm motor
- Size: BMW X3 4,755 mm long/1,660 mm tall; GWM Tank 500 5,070 mm long/1,905 mm tall
- Seats and boot: BMW X3 5 seats/570 litres; GWM Tank 500 7 seats/98 litres
- Transmission: BMW X3 8-speed Steptronic by ZF; GWM Tank 500 9-speed hydraulic automatic
- Warranty: BMW X3 2-year manufacturer plus 5-year extended; GWM Tank 500 6-year manufacturer plus 8-year/200,000-km high-voltage battery warranty
X3
- Larger stated boot at 570 litres versus 98 litres
- Powered boot with contactless opening; GWM Tank 500 uses a manual tailgate
- Auto parking is fitted; GWM Tank 500 does not list it
- Lower engine output at 188 hp and 310 Nm versus 241 hp and 380 Nm
- Five seats only, while the GWM Tank 500 has seven
- Tyre repair kit only; the GWM Tank 500 gets a full-size spare
Tank 500
- Seven seats with seven three-point seatbelts
- Stronger petrol-hybrid system on paper, with 241 hp/380 Nm from the engine and a 105 hp/268 Nm motor
- More comfort kit, including ventilated and massaging front seats, panoramic glass roof and rear window shades
- Much smaller stated boot with all seats in use: 98 litres versus 570 litres
- Manual tailgate versus the BMW X3’s powered contactless boot
- Longer and taller body at 5,070 mm and 1,905 mm versus 4,755 mm and 1,660 mm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 320,800✓ | RM 328,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 241 hp✓ |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 380 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 105 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 268 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1.75 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | Nine-speed Hydraulic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 5,070 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,934 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,905 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 75 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 98 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 265/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 265/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size Spare |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental CrossContact RX |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Second Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Projector LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Massaging Function and Seat Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, 50:50 Split Power 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 Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB Ports, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Glass Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 12-speaker Infinity Sound System |
| 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 |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Manual |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000-km High Voltage Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 439 | RM 439 |
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.
X3 vs Tank 500 FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or GWM Tank 500 better?
The BMW X3 is better for five-seat daily use and luggage space. The GWM Tank 500 is better if you need seven seats, stronger hybrid outputs and more comfort equipment.
What is the price difference?
The GWM Tank 500 is RM8,000 more expensive than the BMW X3. That gap buys two extra seats, higher outputs, a full-size spare, panoramic glass roof and ventilated massaging front seats.
Which SUV has more luggage space?
The BMW X3 has the bigger stated boot at 570 litres. The GWM Tank 500 has only 98 litres listed, but it counters with seven seats instead of five.