Verdict
At RM714,800, the BMW i7 costs RM285,088 less than the RM999,888 Mercedes-Benz GLS, yet its two motors produce 536 hp and 745 Nm for a 4.7-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 625-km EV range, 11-kW AC and 195-kW DC charging suit buyers who can charge regularly. The GLS counters with seven seats, a 2,999 cc twin-turbo inline-six and a more useful three-row cabin, but its 355-litre boot trails the i7’s 525 litres. Choose the BMW for chauffeured five-seat electric luxury; take the Mercedes when seven seats matter.
i7
Pick the BMW i7 if you want 625 km of electric range, a 4.7-second 0-100 km/h sprint and a 525-litre boot for RM285,088 less.
GLS
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLS if you need seven seats, a sliding and split-folding second row, plus a third row.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i7 RM714,800; Mercedes-Benz GLS RM999,888.
- Power and torque: BMW i7 536 hp and 745 Nm from two motors; Mercedes-Benz GLS 362 hp and 500 Nm from a 2,999 cc twin-turbo inline-six.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i7 4.7 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLS 6.1 seconds.
- Seating and boot space: BMW i7 five seats and 525 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLS seven seats and 355 litres.
- Charging/fuel: BMW i7 11 kW AC and 195 kW DC charging; Mercedes-Benz GLS has a 90-litre petrol tank.
- Dimensions: BMW i7 is 5,391 mm long and 1,544 mm tall; Mercedes-Benz GLS is 5,207 mm long and 1,823 mm tall.
i7
- RM285,088 cheaper
- 536 hp, 745 Nm and 4.7-second 0-100 km/h
- 625-km EV range and 525-litre boot
- Five seats versus the GLS’s seven
- 240 km/h top speed versus 250 km/h
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years
GLS
- Seven-seat layout with split-folding second and third rows
- Rear-seat entertainment with two 11.6-inch monitors
- Four-year manufacturer warranty
- RM285,088 more expensive
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- 355-litre boot is 170 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM714,800✓ | RM999,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Luxury | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,015✓ | RM1,638 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin turbochargers and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 362 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 500 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 536 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 745 Nm | — |
| EV Range | 625 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 195 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.7 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 5,207 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 2,157 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,823 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 3,135 mm |
| Weight | 2,715 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 90 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 355 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/45R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/45R22 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | United States (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 22" AMG Multi-Spoke Light Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension, All-wheel steering | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, PRE-SAFE Brake, Full Auto Brake |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | Multibeam LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Sports Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 40:20:40 Split-Folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-Folding 3rd Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | 2x Side Shade, 1x Rear Shade | Powered Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 12.3" MBUX, COMAND Controller, Touchpad, Burmester Sound System with 13 Speakers (590W) and rear seat individual entertainment system, including two 11.6-inch monitors with wireless headphones, rear center armrest control/USB/audio interface |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | 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 with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot, with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| 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 |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 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 i7 & GLS for sale
i7 vs GLS FAQ
Is the BMW i7 or Mercedes-Benz GLS better?
The BMW i7 is the better choice for five occupants who can charge regularly: it is quicker, has a 625-km EV range and a larger 525-litre boot. The Mercedes-Benz GLS is better when seven seats and a three-row layout are non-negotiable.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS costs RM285,088 more than the BMW i7.
Which has more passenger space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLS has the more flexible passenger layout, with seven seats, a 40:20:40 split-folding and sliding second row, plus a 50:50 split-folding third row. The BMW i7 seats five.
