BMW X3: G01 LCI vs G45
Verdict
At RM296,950 against RM320,800, the newer BMW X3 G45 asks RM23,850 more than the outgoing BMW X3 G01 LCI. The money buys a slightly larger body, 570 litres of boot space instead of 550 litres, all-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive, and a small bump to 188 hp/310 Nm from 181 hp/300 Nm. But the G01 LCI is actually quicker to 100 km/h, 8.2 seconds versus 8.5 seconds, and both top out at 215 km/h. This is not a huge leap; it is a newer, broader X3 with modest gains.
Pick the BMW X3 G01 LCI if you want the lower price, rear-wheel drive and the quicker 8.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the BMW X3 G45 if you want the newer generation with all-wheel drive, a bigger boot and slightly higher outputs.
Key differences
- Power and torque: BMW X3 G01 LCI 181 hp/300 Nm; BMW X3 G45 188 hp/310 Nm
- Driven wheels: BMW X3 G01 LCI rear-wheel drive; BMW X3 G45 all-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X3 G01 LCI 8.2 seconds; BMW X3 G45 8.5 seconds
- Size: BMW X3 G01 LCI 4,708 mm long/1,891 mm wide/1,676 mm tall; BMW X3 G45 4,755 mm long/1,920 mm wide/1,660 mm tall
- Boot space: BMW X3 G01 LCI 550 litres; BMW X3 G45 570 litres
- Wheelbase: BMW X3 G01 LCI 2,864 mm; BMW X3 G45 2,865 mm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 296,950✓ | RM 320,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Power | 181 hp | 188 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 310 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.2 s✓ | 8.5 s |
| Top speed | 215 km/h | 215 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 7.3 L/100km | — |
| CO₂ | 166 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,708 mm | 4,755 mm |
| Width | 1,891 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,676 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,864 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Boot space | 550 L | 570 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 65 L | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 2 |
| 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.
G01 LCI
- Lower RM296,950 starting price
- Quicker 8.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rated fuel economy of 7.3 L/100 km
- Rear-wheel drive only
- Smaller 550-litre boot
- Lower 181 hp and 300 Nm outputs
G45
- All-wheel drive fitted
- Larger 570-litre boot
- Slightly stronger 188 hp and 310 Nm outputs
- Costs RM23,850 more
- Slower 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- No fuel economy figure listed
G01 LCI vs G45 FAQ
Is the BMW X3 G01 LCI or BMW X3 G45 better?
The BMW X3 G45 is the better new-generation pick if you want all-wheel drive and more boot space. The BMW X3 G01 LCI still makes sense if price and acceleration matter more, as it costs less and does 0-100 km/h quicker.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X3 G45 costs RM23,850 more than the BMW X3 G01 LCI. The gap mainly aligns with all-wheel drive, a larger body and a 570-litre boot, rather than a major performance gain.
Which one is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The BMW X3 G01 LCI is quicker on paper, taking 8.2 seconds. The BMW X3 G45 takes 8.5 seconds, despite having slightly more power and torque.