Verdict
At RM470,800, the CKD BMW X5 costs RM265,000 less than the CBU BMW X6, yet both reach 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, top out at 250 km/h and carry the same RM1,637 annual road tax. The X5 is the more rational Malaysian buy: its 650-litre boot is 70 litres larger, it has eight airbags and adaptive cruise control. The X6 counters with 335 hp, 22-inch wheels and memory front seats, but its 450 Nm torque trails the X5’s 540 Nm.
The X6 xDrive40i M Sport (RM735,800) sits above every X5 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BMW X5 if you want the lower entry price, a 650-litre boot, eight airbags and adaptive cruise control without giving up 5.4-second acceleration.
Pick the BMW X6 if you want 335 hp, 22-inch wheels, memory front seats with adjustable lumbar support and a power door.
Key differences
- Power: BMW X5 308 hp at 5,000 rpm; BMW X6 335 hp at 5,500 rpm.
- Torque: BMW X5 540 Nm at 1,750 rpm; BMW X6 450 Nm at 1,500 rpm.
- Dimensions: BMW X5 is 4,935 mm long and 1,765 mm tall; BMW X6 is 4,960 mm long and 1,700 mm tall.
- Boot space: BMW X5 650 litres; BMW X6 580 litres.
- Wheels: BMW X5 has 21-inch wheels with 275/40R21 front and 315/35R21 rear tyres; BMW X6 has 22-inch wheels with 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tyres.
- Airbags: BMW X5 has 8; BMW X6 has 7.
X5
- 650-litre boot, 70 litres larger than the X6's.
- Adaptive cruise control and air suspension with adaptive dampers.
- Eight airbags and a rear wiper.
- 308 hp versus the X6's 335 hp.
- 21-inch wheels versus the X6's 22-inch set.
X6
- 335 hp at 5,500 rpm plus a 12 hp mild-hybrid motor.
- Memory front seats with adjustable lumbar support.
- 22-inch M light-alloy wheels and a power door.
- 580-litre boot versus the X5's 650 litres.
- Seven airbags versus the X5's eight.
- Passive cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control.
What the X6 has over the X5
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Boot space favours the X5: 650 litres against 580.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM470,800✓ | RM735,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637 | RM1,637 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM4,805/mo✓ | RM7,510/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM12,587✓ | RM19,477 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift with Mild Hybrid Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp at 5,000 rpm | 335 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 540 Nm at 1,750 rpm✓ | 450 Nm at 1,500 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 12 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 200 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Steptronic | 8-speed Steptronic Sport |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds | 5.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,935 mm | 4,960 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,765 mm | 1,700 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 2,975 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 2,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | 83 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 650 litres✓ | 580 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/40R21 | 275/35R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/35R21 | 315/30R22 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats | Pirelli P Zero |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 26 inch | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 20 inch | 20 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | 14 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | United States (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 22" M Light Alloy Wheels V-Spoke Style 747 M |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 22" M Light Alloy Wheels V-Spoke Style 747 M |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | Adaptive M Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| 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 on outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| 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 System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered with Remote Control Activation |
| 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 Surround View |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
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). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used X5 & X6 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW X5
X5 vs X6 FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or BMW X6 better?
The BMW X5 is the better pick on these specifications. It matches the X6's 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed, while adding a 650-litre boot, eight airbags and adaptive cruise control.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X6 costs RM265,000 more than the BMW X5. The X5 is RM470,800 and the X6 is RM735,800.
Which has the larger boot, the BMW X5 or BMW X6?
The BMW X5 has the larger boot at 650 litres. The BMW X6 has 580 litres, leaving it 70 litres behind.
Which one is locally assembled?
The X5 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the X6 is fully imported (CBU) from United States. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.