Verdict
The X3 has a 26% bigger boot, while the ES is 8% more powerful. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 325,800 | RM 320,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| 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, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 204 hp✓ |
| Torque | 310 Nm✓ | 247 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds✓ | 9.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,975 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,870 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,660 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 420 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 235/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 235/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | McPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Solid 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 Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Rear Cushion Bag |
| 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 two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Bi-LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Fold-down Centre Armrest with Audio and Air-con Controls |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 8" Remote Touch Interface, Lexus Premium Audio CD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and Pioneer 10-speaker 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| 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 |
| Convenience Notes | — | Smart Card Key |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 439✓ | RM 867 |
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.