Verdict
At RM685,800, the BMW 7 Series undercuts the RM1,188,000 Lexus LS by RM502,200, yet reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds against 5.0 seconds. Its 18.7-kWh battery gives an 87-km EV range, useful if charging is available at home or work, while all-wheel drive and a 525-litre boot add everyday practicality. The Lexus counters with a 415-hp, 600-Nm 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 and far richer seat adjustment, heating, ventilation and massage. But the BMW is the more rational Malaysian luxury sedan buy.
Pick the BMW 7 Series if you want RM502,200 in hand, 87 km of EV range, all-wheel drive and the larger 525-litre boot.
Pick the Lexus LS if you prioritise its 415 hp and 600 Nm twin-turbo V6, 28-way massaging front seats and five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 7 Series RM685,800; Lexus LS RM1,188,000.
- Power and torque: BMW 7 Series 308 hp and 450 Nm; Lexus LS 415 hp and 600 Nm.
- Electrified driving: BMW 7 Series has an 18.7-kWh battery and 87-km EV range; Lexus LS is petrol-only.
- Driveline: BMW 7 Series all-wheel drive; Lexus LS rear-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 7 Series 525 litres; Lexus LS 480 litres.
- Warranty and road tax: BMW 7 Series two years and RM2,125 yearly; Lexus LS five years and RM4,133 yearly.
7 Series
- RM502,200 cheaper to buy
- 87-km EV range from an 18.7-kWh battery
- All-wheel drive and 525-litre boot
- 308 hp and 450 Nm trail the Lexus LS's 415 hp and 600 Nm
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
- Front seats lack the Lexus LS's 28-way adjustment, heating, ventilation and massage
LS
- 415 hp and 600 Nm from its 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6
- 28-way heated, ventilated and massaging front seats
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- Costs RM502,200 more
- No EV range or battery-driven running
- 480-litre boot is 45 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM685,800✓ | RM1,188,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Luxury |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125✓ | RM4,133 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 3,445 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp | 415 hp✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm | 600 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 85.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.476 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 18.7 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 87 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Automatic | 10-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 22 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 5,235 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,155 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 82 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | — | 245/45RF20 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 245/45RF20 |
| Spare Tyre | No | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags (2 Front, 2 Side, 2 Curtain, 1 Driver's Knee) | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with Auto Brake and Rear Pedestrian Detection with Auto Brake |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | 28-way Power Adjustable Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation and Massage |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 18-way Power Adjustable Seats with Centre Armrest, Rear Touchscreen, Heating and Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x side sunshades, 1x rear sunshade | Powered Rear Sun Shade and Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Live Cockpit Professional system | 12.3" Display with Lexus Remote Touch Controller, Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and Pioneer 12-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | 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 with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | Soft close function, all doors |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 7 Series & LS for sale
7 Series vs LS FAQ
Is the BMW 7 Series or Lexus LS better?
The BMW 7 Series is the stronger buy on price, EV capability, all-wheel drive and boot space. Choose the Lexus LS only if its 415 hp, 600 Nm and substantially more elaborate seating matter more than the RM502,200 price gap.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LS costs RM1,188,000 and the BMW 7 Series costs RM685,800, so the Lexus is RM502,200 more expensive.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BMW 7 Series has lower annual road tax at RM2,125, compared with RM4,133 for the Lexus LS. That is a RM2,008 yearly difference.
