Verdict
The BMW X6 is the rational Malaysian buy here despite its shape: RM734,800 plays RM1,131,800 for the Lotus Emira, and the X6 gives you five seats, five doors and 580 litres of boot space. The Emira is the purer sports car, with 400 hp, 1,405 kg and a 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time against the BMW’s 335 hp, 2,240 kg and 5.4 seconds. But the BMW also keeps annual road tax to RM1,637 versus RM4,182, so the Lotus asks for more money before you even drive it.
Pick the BMW X6 if you need one fast premium car to carry people, luggage and Malaysian daily-use kit without giving up all-wheel drive.
Pick the Lotus Emira if the priority is a lighter, quicker two-seat sports car with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X6 RM734,800; Lotus Emira RM1,131,800
- 0-100 km/h: BMW X6 5.4 seconds; Lotus Emira 4.3 seconds
- Output: BMW X6 335 hp and 450 Nm; Lotus Emira 400 hp and 420 Nm
- Weight: BMW X6 2,240 kg; Lotus Emira 1,405 kg
- Practicality: BMW X6 5 seats and 580 litres; Lotus Emira 2 seats and 151 litres
- Road tax: BMW X6 RM1,637 a year; Lotus Emira RM4,182 a year
X6
- Five seats, five doors and a 580-litre boot make it far easier to live with
- All-wheel drive, 450 Nm and an 8-speed ZF automatic suit daily use
- Gets 360-degree camera, auto parking, head-up display and navigation
- Slower to 100 km/h at 5.4 seconds versus 4.3 seconds
- Much heavier at 2,240 kg versus 1,405 kg
- Lower peak power: 335 hp versus 400 hp
Emira
- Quicker 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive give it the purer sports-car layout
- Much lighter at 1,405 kg
- Costs RM397,000 more to buy
- Only two seats and 151 litres of boot space
- Annual road tax is RM4,182 versus RM1,637
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM734,800✓ | RM1,131,800 |
| Body type | SUV | Coupe |
| Segment | Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift with Mild Hybrid Assistance | 24-valve DOHC, supercharged (Roots) with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 3,456 cc |
| Horsepower | 335 hp | 400 hp✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 420 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 12 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 200 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic Sport | Six-speed Manual |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds | 4.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,960 mm | 4,412 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,700 mm | 1,225 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 580 litres✓ | 151 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R22 | 245/35R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/30R22 | 295/30R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United States (CBU) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 22" M Light Alloy Wheels V-Spoke Style 747 M | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 22" M Light Alloy Wheels V-Spoke Style 747 M | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension | Touring or Sports Suspensions Available |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 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 | Electronic for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Projector LED |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android, KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Automatic Front Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | No |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Yes | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637✓ | RM4,182 |
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 X6 & Emira for sale
X6 vs Emira FAQ
Is the BMW X6 or Lotus Emira better?
The BMW X6 is better as an only car because it has five seats, a 580-litre boot and more driver-assist kit. The Lotus Emira is better as a driver’s car, with 400 hp, 1,405 kg and a 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emira costs RM397,000 more than the BMW X6: RM1,131,800 versus RM734,800. It is also costlier to tax annually, at RM4,182 against RM1,637.
Which is more practical for Malaysian daily use?
The BMW X6. It has five doors, five seats, 580 litres of boot space, rear air-conditioning, ISOFIX and a powered tailgate. The Lotus Emira has two doors, two seats and 151 litres of boot space.