Verdict
At RM352,900, the Audi Q5 costs RM58,100 more than the RM294,800 BMW i4. That premium brings SUV proportions, a 520-litre boot and a 68-litre petrol tank, useful if charging access is not assured. The i4 counters with a 70.3-kWh battery, claimed 500-km range, 282 hp and 400 Nm, while annual road tax is RM305 against RM434. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge at home or work, the BMW is the sharper financial case; the Audi suits those needing its taller body and extra luggage room.
Pick the Audi Q5 if you need an SUV with a 520-litre boot and petrol refuelling from its 68-litre tank.
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 500 km of EV range, 282 hp and a RM58,100 lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 RM352,900; BMW i4 RM294,800.
- Powertrain: Audi Q5 1,984-cc turbo petrol with 196 hp/340 Nm; BMW i4 single motor with 282 hp/400 Nm.
- Running tax: Audi Q5 RM434/year; BMW i4 RM305/year.
- Body and height: Audi Q5 SUV, 1,669 mm tall; BMW i4 sedan, 1,448 mm tall.
- Luggage space: Audi Q5 520 litres; BMW i4 470 litres.
- Energy storage: Audi Q5 68-litre fuel tank; BMW i4 70.3-kWh battery with 500-km claimed range.
Q5
- 520-litre boot, 50 litres larger than the i4's.
- Taller 1,669-mm SUV body.
- Digital Matrix LED headlamps and full OLED tail lights.
- RM58,100 dearer to buy.
- 196 hp and 340 Nm trail the i4's 282 hp and 400 Nm.
- Annual road tax is RM129 higher.
i4
- 70.3-kWh battery and 500-km claimed EV range.
- 282 hp and 400 Nm from its single electric motor.
- Standard head-up display and auto parking.
- 470-litre boot is 50 litres smaller than the Q5's.
- 1,448-mm sedan body is 221 mm lower than the Q5 SUV.
- Rear occupants get air-con vents rather than the Q5's single-zone automatic rear climate control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM352,900 | RM294,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 196 hp | — |
| Torque | 340 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| 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 | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 190 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 4,783 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,852 mm |
| Height | 1,669 mm | 1,448 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,817 mm | 2,856 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,075 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 245/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 255/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two 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 | Digital Matrix LED Headlights | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | BMW Laser LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 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 System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 10-speaker Audi 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 with Digital Key | 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 with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View 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 |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 5 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 Q5 & i4 for sale
Q5 vs i4 FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 or BMW i4 better?
The BMW i4 is better for buyers with regular charging, because it costs RM58,100 less, has 282 hp and 400 Nm, and claims 500 km of range. Choose the Audi Q5 for its SUV body, 520-litre boot and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q5 costs RM352,900 and the BMW i4 costs RM294,800, so the Q5 is RM58,100 more expensive.
Can the BMW i4 charge quickly?
Yes. The BMW i4 supports 11-kW AC charging and up to 180-kW DC charging. Its 70.3-kWh battery has a claimed range of 500 km.