Verdict
The BMW X3 costs RM325,800, undercutting the Volkswagen Touareg’s RM384,972 by RM59,172, while its RM439 annual road tax is far easier to stomach than RM1,632. It is the rational Malaysian choice if a 570-litre boot and 8.5-second 0-100 km/h run cover your needs, because it also brings a head-up display and auto parking. But the Touareg’s 335 hp/450 Nm V6, 6.0-second sprint, 810-litre boot and air suspension make the extra outlay tangible for long trips and fully loaded use. Its five-year manufacturer warranty also beats BMW’s two-year cover.
Pick the BMW X3 if you want to save RM59,172 upfront, pay RM1,193 less in annual road tax and value a head-up display plus auto parking.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need 335 hp, 450 Nm, an 810-litre boot and air suspension for frequent long-distance or family use.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X3 RM325,800; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Performance: BMW X3 188 hp, 310 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds; Volkswagen Touareg 335 hp, 450 Nm and 6.0 seconds.
- Road tax: BMW X3 RM439 per year; Volkswagen Touareg RM1,632 per year.
- Boot space: BMW X3 570 litres; Volkswagen Touareg 810 litres.
- Size: BMW X3 is 4,755 mm long with a 2,865 mm wheelbase; Volkswagen Touareg is 4,878 mm long with a 2,984 mm wheelbase.
- Warranty: BMW X3 has a two-year manufacturer warranty and five-year extended warranty; Volkswagen Touareg has a five-year manufacturer warranty.
X3
- RM59,172 cheaper to buy.
- RM439 annual road tax versus RM1,632.
- Head-up display and auto parking are fitted.
- 188 hp and 310 Nm trail the Touareg’s 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- 570-litre boot is 240 litres smaller.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Touareg’s five years.
Touareg
- 335 hp, 450 Nm and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 810-litre boot and 2,984 mm wheelbase.
- Air suspension, night vision and HD Matrix LED headlamps.
- Costs RM59,172 more.
- RM1,632 annual road tax is RM1,193 higher.
- No head-up display or auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 325,800✓ | RM 384,972 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 188 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | V |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 215 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,660 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,865 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/50R19 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/50R19 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Y-spoke M Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air 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 | Electronic 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 | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 6 Speaker | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| 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 | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 439✓ | RM 1,632 |
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 & Touareg for sale
X3 vs Touareg FAQ
Is the BMW X3 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Touareg is better for outright pace, cargo room and long-distance comfort hardware, with 335 hp, an 810-litre boot and air suspension. The X3 is the smarter buy for lower upfront cost and road tax, while adding a head-up display and auto parking.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM59,172 more than the BMW X3: RM384,972 against RM325,800.
Which has the better warranty?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the better standard cover with a five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty. The BMW X3 has a two-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty, although a five-year unlimited-mileage extended warranty is listed.