Verdict
The BMW X3 costs RM325,800, RM28,912 more than the RM296,888 Mercedes-Benz EQA, but answers with a larger 570-litre boot against 340 litres, all-wheel drive and a marginally quicker 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The EQA makes the stronger case for urban EV use: its 66.5-kWh battery is rated for 429 km, with 11 kW AC and 100 kW DC charging, while annual road tax is only RM160 versus RM439. Malaysian buyers needing family luggage room should take the X3; those with dependable charging will save at purchase and road-tax time in the EQA.
Pick the BMW X3 if you need the 570-litre boot, all-wheel drive and 215 km/h top speed, and can accept RM28,912 more upfront.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if home or destination charging suits your routine and its 429 km EV range, RM160 road tax and lower price matter more than luggage capacity.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888.
- Powertrain: X3 1,998 cc mild-hybrid petrol with 188 hp and 310 Nm; EQA single electric motor with 188 hp and 375 Nm.
- Driveline: X3 all-wheel drive; EQA front-wheel drive.
- Performance: X3 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and 215 km/h; EQA 8.9 seconds and 160 km/h.
- Practicality: X3 570-litre boot and 2,865 mm wheelbase; EQA 340 litres and 2,729 mm.
- Running and warranty: X3 road tax RM439 and two-year warranty; EQA RM160 road tax, four-year warranty and eight-year/160,000 km battery cover.
X3
- 570-litre boot is 230 litres larger.
- All-wheel drive and 215 km/h top speed.
- 360-degree camera and rear automatic climate control.
- RM28,912 pricier and RM279 a year higher in road tax.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the EQA's four years.
- No EV driving range or AC/DC charging capability.
EQA
- 429 km EV range from a 66.5-kWh battery.
- 11 kW AC and 100 kW DC charging.
- Four-year vehicle warranty plus eight-year/160,000 km battery cover.
- 340-litre boot trails the X3 by 230 litres.
- Front-wheel drive versus the X3's all-wheel drive.
- 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time and 160 km/h top speed are lower.
What the X3 has over the EQA
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The X3's wheelbase is 136 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The X3 is 86 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the X3: 570 litres against 340.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM325,800 | RM296,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM160✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,325/mo | RM3,030/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM8,784 | RM7,967✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM1,377 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM6.89 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM47,522 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | — | 6.0 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | — | 45 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 188 hp at 4,400 rpm | — |
| Torque | 310 Nm at 1,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 188 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 375 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 66.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 429 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 100.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds✓ | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,463 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,040 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 340 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| 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 Memory Function, Heated |
| 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 | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| 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 | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| 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 | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/160,000 km Warranty for Traction 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used X3 & EQA for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW X3
X3 vs EQA FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz EQA better?
The X3 is better for luggage space, all-wheel drive and outright performance. The EQA is better for buyers able to charge regularly, with 429 km of EV range, lower purchase cost and RM160 annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X3 costs RM325,800 and the Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM296,888, so the X3 is RM28,912 more expensive.
Which has the larger boot?
The BMW X3 has the larger boot at 570 litres. The Mercedes-Benz EQA provides 340 litres, leaving the BMW with a 230-litre advantage.
How long does charging take?
The EQA's 66.5 kWh battery takes about 6.0 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 45 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 100 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The X3 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the EQA is fully imported (CBU) from Germany. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
Which has the better warranty?
The EQA carries a 4-year manufacturer warranty against 2 years for the X3. EQA: 8 Years/160,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery.