Verdict
At RM470,800, the CKD BMW X5 is the rational Malaysian buy: its 650-litre boot is 70 litres larger, it has air suspension with adaptive dampers and adaptive cruise control. The CBU BMW X6 costs RM735,800, a RM265,000 jump, yet both reach 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and top out at 250 km/h. The X6 counters with 335 hp against 308 hp, 22-inch wheels, memory front seats with lumbar adjustment and a power door. Its 450 Nm output trails the X5's 540 Nm, however. For daily family duties, the X5 has the clearer case.
Pick the BMW X5 if you want the larger 650-litre boot, air suspension and adaptive cruise control for RM265,000 less.
Pick the BMW X6 if you want 335 hp, 22-inch wheels, memory front seats with lumbar adjustment and a power door.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X5 RM470,800; BMW X6 RM735,800.
- Power and torque: BMW X5 308 hp and 540 Nm; BMW X6 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- Boot space: BMW X5 650 litres; BMW X6 580 litres.
- Suspension: BMW X5 air suspension with adaptive dampers; BMW X6 Adaptive M Suspension.
- Cruise control: BMW X5 adaptive cruise control; BMW X6 passive cruise control.
- Wheels: BMW X5 21-inch Style 915M alloys; BMW X6 22-inch M V-Spoke Style 747 M alloys.
X5
- 650-litre boot, 70 litres larger than the X6
- Air suspension with adaptive dampers
- Adaptive cruise control
- 308 hp is 27 hp down on the X6
- No listed memory or lumbar adjustment for the front seats
- No power door
X6
- 335 hp from its 2,998 cc mild-hybrid petrol powertrain
- Front-seat memory and adjustable lumbar support
- 22-inch M light-alloy wheels and a power door
- RM265,000 more expensive than the X5
- 580-litre boot is 70 litres smaller
- Passive cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control
| 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 |
| 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 | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 540 Nm✓ | 450 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 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 |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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.
Used X5 & X6 for sale
X5 vs X6 FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or BMW X6 better?
The BMW X5 is the better all-round choice. It costs RM265,000 less, carries 650 litres versus 580 litres and adds air suspension plus adaptive cruise control, while matching the X6's 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
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 more boot space, the BMW X5 or BMW X6?
The BMW X5 has more luggage space: 650 litres, against 580 litres in the BMW X6. That is a 70-litre advantage for the X5.