Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 costs RM8,555 more than the RM286,245 Subaru WRX, but its annual road tax is far lower at RM305 versus RM767. The BMW’s 282 hp, 400 Nm rear motor and 70.3-kWh battery bring a claimed 500 km range, 180-kW DC charging and a 470-litre boot. The WRX counters with a 271 hp, 375 Nm turbo boxer engine, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. For Malaysian buyers with home or workplace charging, the i4 is the more complete daily car; choose the Subaru for the manual-and-AWD driving experience.
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 500 km claimed range, lower RM305 road tax and far more driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Subaru WRX if a six-speed manual gearbox, all-wheel drive and a 1,510-kg kerb weight matter more than EV range and cabin tech.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 has a 282 hp/400 Nm electric motor; Subaru WRX has a 271 hp/375 Nm 2.4-litre turbo boxer engine.
- Drive and transmission: BMW i4 rear-wheel drive with a single-ratio automatic; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive with a six-speed manual.
- Energy use: BMW i4 has a 70.3-kWh battery, 500 km claimed range and 180-kW DC charging; Subaru WRX has a 63-litre petrol tank.
- Practicality: BMW i4 has a 2,856-mm wheelbase and 470-litre boot; Subaru WRX has a 2,672-mm wheelbase and 411-litre boot.
- Kerb weight and road tax: BMW i4 is 2,075 kg and RM305 a year; Subaru WRX is 1,510 kg and RM767 a year.
i4
- 500 km claimed EV range with 180-kW DC charging.
- 400 Nm motor torque and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera.
- RM8,555 dearer to buy.
- At 2,075 kg, it is 565 kg heavier than the WRX.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the WRX’s five years.
WRX
- Six-speed manual gearbox with all-wheel drive.
- 565 kg lighter than the i4.
- Five-year, 100,000-km manufacturer warranty.
- RM767 annual road tax, versus RM305 for the i4.
- 411-litre boot is 59 litres smaller than the i4’s.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring or adaptive cruise control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800 | RM286,245✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 271 hp at 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | — | 375 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 94 mm × 86 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| 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 | Single Ratio Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags) |
| 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 2nd Row Seats | Available for two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 i4 & WRX for sale
i4 vs WRX FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Subaru WRX better?
The BMW i4 is better for a well-equipped, lower-road-tax daily car if charging is available, with 500 km claimed range and a 470-litre boot. The Subaru WRX is the pick only if its manual gearbox and all-wheel drive are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM294,800 and the Subaru WRX costs RM286,245, so the BMW is RM8,555 more expensive.
Which is cheaper to tax and run day to day?
The BMW i4 has annual road tax of RM305, against RM767 for the Subaru WRX. It also uses electricity from its 70.3-kWh battery rather than the WRX’s petrol-fed 2.4-litre turbo engine, but charging access is essential.
