Verdict
At RM470,800, the BMW X5 is RM39,088 less than the RM509,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class, yet it is the more useful Malaysian five-seater: its 650-litre boot beats 370 litres, and its 83-litre tank exceeds 51 litres. The AMG answers with serious pace, reaching 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds against 5.4 seconds, plus 270 versus 250 km/h. Its annual road tax is only RM376 against RM1,637, but its 1,550-kg hatchback format gives away space to the 2,240-kg executive SUV.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you need the 650-litre boot, 2,975-mm wheelbase and adaptive air suspension more than outright sprint pace.
AMG A-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class if a 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time and RM376 annual road tax matter more than SUV space.
Key differences
- Performance: BMW X5 reaches 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class does it in 3.9 seconds.
- Road tax: BMW X5 is RM1,637 per year; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class is RM376 per year.
- Boot space: BMW X5 has 650 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class has 370 litres.
- Size: BMW X5 is 4,935 mm long with a 2,975-mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class is 4,445 mm long with a 2,729-mm wheelbase.
- Fuel tank: BMW X5 carries 83 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class carries 51 litres.
- Top speed: BMW X5 is rated at 250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class reaches 270 km/h.
X5
- 650-litre boot and 83-litre fuel tank
- Adaptive air suspension and adaptive dampers
- 14.9-inch touchscreen with 17-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Slower 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM1,637 annual road tax
- 250 km/h top speed
AMG A-Class
- 421 hp and 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM376 annual road tax
- 1,550-kg kerb weight and 270 km/h top speed
- 370-litre boot is 280 litres smaller
- No rear air-conditioning listed
- Passive cruise control instead of adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM470,800✓ | RM509,888 |
| Body type | SUV | Hatchback |
| Segment | Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637 | RM376✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing and lift |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp | 421 hp✓ |
| Torque | 540 Nm✓ | 500 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 9 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Steptronic | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds | 3.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 8.3 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 270 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 189 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,935 mm | 4,445 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,765 mm | 1,412 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 1,550 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 650 litres✓ | 370 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/40R21 | 245/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/35R21 | 245/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats | Michelin Pilot Sport 4S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (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 | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive dampers, Dynamic Select, AMG Performance Exhaust |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam | Multibeam LED Projector |
| 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 | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| 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, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| 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" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Touchpad, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| 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 |
| 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 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 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 | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years✓ | 2 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 & AMG A-Class for sale
X5 vs AMG A-Class FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class better?
The BMW X5 is better for carrying people and luggage, with a 650-litre boot, 2,975-mm wheelbase and rear air-conditioning. The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class is better if performance is decisive, hitting 100 km/h 1.5 seconds sooner.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class costs RM39,088 more than the BMW X5.
Which is cheaper to tax and faster?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG A-Class wins both: annual road tax is RM376 versus RM1,637 for the BMW X5, and its 0-100 km/h time is 3.9 seconds versus 5.4 seconds.