Verdict
The BMW Z4 is the sharper choice for two people who want a convertible: its 255 hp, 400 Nm rear-wheel-drive layout reaches 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, 0.6 seconds ahead of the Touareg, while annual road tax is just RM379. But the RM90,258 gap leaves the Touareg with a much broader Malaysian brief. Its five seats, 810-litre boot and 90-litre tank suit family trips, backed by all-wheel drive, air suspension and a five-year warranty. The Z4 is faster; the Touareg is far more useful day to day.
Pick the BMW Z4 if open-top two-seat driving, a 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time and lower RM379 annual road tax matter more than passenger and luggage capacity.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need five seats, an 810-litre boot, all-wheel drive and a five-year warranty for RM90,258 less.
Key differences
- Price: BMW Z4 RM475,230; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Performance: BMW Z4 255 hp, 400 Nm and 5.4 seconds to 100 km/h; Volkswagen Touareg 335 hp, 450 Nm and 6.0 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW Z4 rear-wheel drive; Volkswagen Touareg all-wheel drive.
- Practicality: BMW Z4 has 2 seats and a 280-litre boot; Volkswagen Touareg has 5 seats and an 810-litre boot.
- Road tax: BMW Z4 RM379 per year; Volkswagen Touareg RM1,632 per year.
- Warranty: BMW Z4 has 2 years unlimited mileage; Volkswagen Touareg has 5 years unlimited mileage.
Z4
- 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds
- RM379 annual road tax
- Convertible body and 6.5 L/100 km rated economy
- Only 2 seats and a 280-litre boot
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or lane-keeping steering correction
- Two-year warranty versus five years
Touareg
- Five seats and 810-litre boot
- All-wheel drive with air suspension
- Blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking and 360-degree camera
- 0-100 km/h takes 6.0 seconds versus 5.4 seconds
- RM1,632 annual road tax
- No rated fuel-economy figure is stated
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM475,230 | RM384,972✓ |
| Body type | Convertible | SUV |
| Segment | Sports Car | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo with variable valve timing | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 255 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.1 | 10.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Transmission | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds✓ | 6 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 149 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,324 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,864 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,304 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,470 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,491 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Seats | 2 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R18 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Super Sport | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Austria (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Double Spoke Style 798M Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Sport Suspension | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 2 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Safety Notes | Flat Tyre Indicator | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | — | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 10.25" BMW Navigation system Professional, iDrive Touch controller, 12-speaker Harman Kardon Surround Sound System | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 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 Z4 & Touareg for sale
Z4 vs Touareg FAQ
Is the BMW Z4 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Touareg is better for most buyers because it has five seats, an 810-litre boot, all-wheel drive and more active safety equipment. Choose the Z4 only if its convertible layout and quicker 5.4-second sprint are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The BMW Z4 costs RM475,230 and the Volkswagen Touareg costs RM384,972, so the Z4 is RM90,258 more expensive.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The BMW Z4 is much cheaper to tax annually at RM379, compared with RM1,632 for the Volkswagen Touareg. That is an RM1,253 yearly difference.