Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series costs RM46,000 more than the RM294,800 BMW i4, but brings a 5,060-mm body, a 490-litre boot and dual-zone rear climate control. The i4 answers with a 282-hp, 400-Nm motor, a 6-second 0-100 km/h time and 500 km of range from its 70.3-kWh battery; annual road tax is RM305 against RM379. Pick the 5 Series for its larger body and stronger rear-seat provision. Pick the i4 if its 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC charging suit your routine.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you need the larger 5,060-mm sedan, 490-litre boot and dual-zone rear air-conditioning.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want the quicker 6-second 0-100 km/h run, 500-km EV range and lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Powertrain output: BMW 5 Series has 208 hp and 330 Nm; BMW i4 has 282 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series takes 7.5 seconds; BMW i4 takes 6 seconds.
- Top speed: BMW 5 Series reaches 230 km/h; BMW i4 reaches 190 km/h.
- Length: BMW 5 Series is 5,060 mm; BMW i4 is 4,783 mm.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series has 490 litres; BMW i4 has 470 litres.
- Doors: BMW 5 Series has four doors; BMW i4 has five doors.
5 Series
- Larger 5,060-mm body and 490-litre boot
- Dual-zone rear climate control and rear window shades
- 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Slower 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6 seconds
- Higher RM379 annual road tax versus RM305
- No auto-parking function
i4
- 282-hp, 400-Nm electric motor with 500-km range
- 180 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging
- Five doors and auto parking
- 470-litre boot is 20 litres smaller
- Rear occupants get AC vents rather than dual-zone climate control
- 190 km/h top speed is 40 km/h lower
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800 | RM294,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 282 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70.3 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 500 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 180 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 190 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,075 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2nd Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | BMW Laser LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory |
| 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 |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four 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 | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
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 5 Series & i4 for sale
5 Series vs i4 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or BMW i4 better?
The BMW 5 Series is better for the larger body, 490-litre boot and rear dual-zone climate control. The BMW i4 is better for faster acceleration, a 500-km electric range, five doors and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 is RM46,000 cheaper than the BMW 5 Series.
Which one is quicker?
The BMW i4 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6 seconds versus 7.5 seconds for the BMW 5 Series. The 5 Series has the higher top speed, at 230 km/h against 190 km/h.
