Verdict
The BMW X5 is the rational buy at RM469,800: it gives you the same 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time, 250 km/h top speed, 2,975 mm wheelbase, 2,240 kg kerb weight and 83-litre tank as the RM734,800 BMW X6. The X6 gets more power, at 335 hp versus 308 hp, plus a 12 hp mild-hybrid motor, but the X5 has more torque, 540 Nm versus 450 Nm, a bigger 650-litre boot and adaptive cruise control. For most Malaysian buyers, the RM265,000 gap is hard to justify on numbers alone.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you want the same acceleration with more boot space, more torque, adaptive cruise control and the lower price.
X6
Pick the BMW X6 if you want the CBU model with more horsepower, 22-inch wheels, Sport transmission, added seat functions and the mild-hybrid hardware.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X5 RM469,800; BMW X6 RM734,800
- Output: BMW X5 308 hp and 540 Nm; BMW X6 335 hp and 450 Nm
- Acceleration: BMW X5 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds; BMW X6 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds
- 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
X5
- RM265,000 cheaper
- Bigger 650-litre boot
- More torque at 540 Nm and adaptive cruise control
- Lower engine output at 308 hp versus 335 hp
- No listed mild-hybrid motor output, while the X6 has a 12 hp/200 Nm motor
- Front seats lack the X6's listed memory and adjustable lumbar functions
X6
- Higher engine output at 335 hp
- Adds a 12 hp/200 Nm mild-hybrid motor with a 1 kWh lithium-ion battery
- 22-inch M light alloy wheels and 18-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Costs RM265,000 more
- Smaller 580-litre boot
- Passive cruise control instead of the X5's adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 469,800✓ | RM 734,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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 |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| 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 |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1 kWh |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| 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 | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 1,637 | RM 1,637 |
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.
X5 vs X6 FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or BMW X6 better?
The BMW X5 is the better buy on paper. It matches the X6 for 0-100 km/h and top speed, has more torque, a bigger boot, adaptive cruise control and costs far less.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X6 costs RM265,000 more than the BMW X5. The gap buys more horsepower, mild-hybrid hardware, 22-inch wheels and extra cabin equipment, but not quicker acceleration.
Which has more boot space?
The BMW X5 has more boot space, with 650 litres against the BMW X6's 580 litres. That 70-litre advantage matters if you regularly carry luggage, golf bags or family gear.