BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz EQC
Verdict
At RM320,800 against RM393,888, the BMW X3 is the more pragmatic Malaysian family SUV: it has five seats, AWD, a bigger 570-litre boot and a lower RM439 yearly road tax. The Mercedes-Benz EQC is the quicker, more expensive EV play, with dual motors, 402 hp, an 80.0 kWh battery and 437 km of range. Its 5.1-second century sprint is in another league, but the X3 counters with 215 km/h top speed and more luggage room.
Pick the BMW X3 if you want the cheaper AWD SUV with a larger boot, higher top speed and lower yearly road tax.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQC if you want full-electric driving, far stronger acceleration and can work with a 437 km EV range.
Key differences
- Power: BMW X3 188 hp; Mercedes-Benz EQC 402 hp
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X3 8.5 s; Mercedes-Benz EQC 5.1 s
- Top speed: BMW X3 215 km/h; Mercedes-Benz EQC 180 km/h
- Boot space: BMW X3 570 L; Mercedes-Benz EQC 495 L
- Size: BMW X3 4,755 mm long and 1,920 mm wide; Mercedes-Benz EQC 4,761 mm long and 1,884 mm wide
- Road tax: BMW X3 RM439/year; Mercedes-Benz EQC RM545/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 320,800✓ | RM 393,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | Dual motor |
| Power | 188 hp | 402 hp✓ |
| Torque | 310 Nm | — |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.5 s | 5.1 s✓ |
| Top speed | 215 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 80.0 kWh |
| EV range | — | 437 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,884 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,624 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,873 mm |
| Boot space | 570 L✓ | 495 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 439✓ | RM 545 |
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
- Bigger 570-litre boot
- Lower RM439 yearly road tax
- Higher 215 km/h top speed
- Much slower 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Far less power at 188 hp
- No EV range figure
EQC
- 402 hp dual-motor EV drivetrain
- Quick 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- 80.0 kWh battery with 437 km range
- Smaller 495-litre boot
- Lower 180 km/h top speed
- Higher RM545 yearly road tax
X3 vs EQC FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz EQC better?
For daily family use, the BMW X3 is the safer pick because it costs less, has a bigger boot and lower road tax. The Mercedes-Benz EQC is better if acceleration and full-electric driving matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQC costs RM73,088 more than the BMW X3. That premium buys dual motors, 402 hp, an 80.0 kWh battery and 437 km of EV range.
Which is faster from 0-100 km/h?
The Mercedes-Benz EQC is much quicker, taking 5.1 seconds from 0-100 km/h. The BMW X3 takes 8.5 seconds, although it has the higher 215 km/h top speed.