Verdict
At RM1,200,800, the BMW M5 costs RM12,800 more, but its 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, all-wheel drive and 67 km EV range make it the clear choice for the owner who will charge it and use its pace. The Lexus LS is the more rear-seat-minded limousine: its 3,125 mm wheelbase, 18-way rear seats with heating and ventilation, and five-year warranty suit chauffeur duty better. Its RM4,133 annual road tax also undercuts the M5’s RM8,408 substantially.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 3.5-second acceleration, AWD traction and a 22.1 kWh plug-in hybrid battery with 67 km of EV range.
Pick the Lexus LS if rear-passenger comfort, a 3,125 mm wheelbase, 10 airbags and lower RM4,133 annual road tax matter more than outright pace.
Key differences
- Performance: BMW M5 does 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds; Lexus LS takes 5.0 seconds.
- Powertrain: BMW M5 has a 591 hp 4.4-litre V8 plus a 194 hp motor and 22.1 kWh battery; Lexus LS has a 415 hp 3.4-litre V6 and no motor.
- Driveline: BMW M5 is all-wheel drive; Lexus LS is rear-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase: BMW M5 measures 2,857 mm; Lexus LS stretches to 3,125 mm.
- Road tax: BMW M5 costs RM8,408 per year; Lexus LS costs RM4,133 per year.
- Warranty: BMW M5 has a two-year manufacturer warranty; Lexus LS has a five-year manufacturer warranty.
M5
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and all-wheel drive
- 67 km EV range from a 22.1 kWh battery
- 360-degree camera, auto parking and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM4,133
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
- No rear-seat heating, ventilation, massage or rear touchscreen
LS
- 18-way rear seats with heating, ventilation and rear touchscreen
- 10 airbags and rear cross traffic alert with auto brake
- Five-year manufacturer warranty and 82-litre fuel tank
- 5.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 3.5 seconds
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- No plug-in hybrid motor, battery or EV range
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,200,800 | RM1,188,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM8,408 | RM4,133✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 4,395 cc | 3,445 cc |
| Horsepower | 591 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ | 415 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 750 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ | 600 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | V 8 | V 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 85.5 mm × 100 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.476 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 22.1 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 67 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | M Steptronic | 10-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 5,235 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 2,510 kg | 2,155 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 82 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres | 480 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R20 | 245/45RF20 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/35R21 | 245/45RF20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook S1 evo Z | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" M Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Adaptive Suspension | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 10 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side) |
| 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 outer two rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with Auto Brake and Rear Pedestrian Detection with Auto Brake |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 28-way Power Adjustable Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation and Massage |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 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 | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Powered Rear Sun Shade and Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 12.3" Display with Lexus Remote Touch Controller, Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and Pioneer 12-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot 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, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| 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 | 3 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 M5 & LS for sale
M5 vs LS FAQ
Is the BMW M5 or Lexus LS better?
The BMW M5 is better for performance, with AWD and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The Lexus LS is better for being driven in, thanks to its longer 3,125 mm wheelbase, rear-seat equipment and five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM12,800 more than the Lexus LS. That modest gap brings plug-in hybrid hardware, all-wheel drive and a much quicker 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, but also RM4,275 more annual road tax.
Which is better for rear passengers?
The Lexus LS is the stronger rear-seat car. It has 18-way powered rear seats, heating, ventilation, a centre-armrest touchscreen and rear door sunshades, where the BMW M5 has a 40:20:40 split-folding rear bench.
