Verdict
At RM470,800, the X5 costs RM4,430 less than the RM475,230 Z4 yet brings five seats, a 650-litre boot and 540 Nm through all-wheel drive. Its 2,240-kg mass does not buy a quicker sprint: both reach 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and top out at 250 km/h. The Z4 is the sharper fit for a two-seat open-top purchase, weighing 1,491 kg and carrying annual road tax of RM379 against the X5’s RM1,637. For Malaysian family use, the X5’s space and safety kit are decisive.
Pick the BMW X5 if you need five seats, a 650-litre boot and all-wheel drive without paying more than the Z4.
Pick the BMW Z4 if a two-seat convertible, 1,491-kg kerb weight and far lower RM379 annual road tax matter more than passenger and luggage space.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X5 RM470,800; BMW Z4 RM475,230.
- Seats and doors: BMW X5 has 5 seats and 5 doors; BMW Z4 has 2 seats and 2 doors.
- Boot space: BMW X5 650 litres; BMW Z4 280 litres.
- Power and torque: BMW X5 308 hp and 540 Nm; BMW Z4 255 hp and 400 Nm.
- Driveline and weight: BMW X5 all-wheel drive and 2,240 kg; BMW Z4 rear-wheel drive and 1,491 kg.
- Annual road tax: BMW X5 RM1,637; BMW Z4 RM379.
X5
- Five seats and a 650-litre boot
- 308 hp and 540 Nm with all-wheel drive
- Air suspension, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera
- Heavier at 2,240 kg versus 1,491 kg
- Annual road tax is RM1,258 higher
- Larger 4,935-mm length and 2,004-mm width
Z4
- Convertible body and rear-wheel drive
- 749 kg lighter than the X5
- Rated economy of 6.5 L/100 km and RM379 annual road tax
- Only two seats and a 280-litre boot
- No blind-spot information, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- No rear air-con, rear seats or ISOFIX
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM470,800✓ | RM475,230 |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp✓ | 255 hp |
| Torque | 540 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 11.1 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Steptronic | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds | 5.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 149 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,935 mm | 4,324 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,864 mm |
| Height | 1,765 mm | 1,304 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 2,470 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 1,491 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | 52 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 650 litres✓ | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/40R21 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/35R21 | 255/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats | Michelin Pilot Super Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Austria (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | M Sport Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Flat Tyre Indicator |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| 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 |
| Rear Seats | 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 | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual 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) | 10.25" BMW Navigation system Professional, iDrive Touch controller, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Two 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | BMW ConnectedDrive, Concierge Service |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 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 & Z4 for sale
X5 vs Z4 FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or BMW Z4 better?
The BMW X5 is better for most Malaysian households because it has five seats, 650 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and a broader active-safety list. The BMW Z4 is better only when a two-seat convertible experience is the priority.
What is the price difference?
The BMW Z4 costs RM4,430 more than the BMW X5. Despite that, the X5 also has the higher annual road tax: RM1,637 versus RM379.
Which is quicker, the BMW X5 or BMW Z4?
Neither is quicker on the claimed sprint: both reach 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and have a 250 km/h top speed. The X5 has more output at 308 hp and 540 Nm, while the Z4 weighs 749 kg less.