Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series is the rational executive sedan: its RM379 annual road tax is far kinder, and it is 331 mm shorter than the BMW 7 Series. The RM685,800 7 Series costs RM345,000 more, but brings a 194 hp electric motor, 18.7 kWh battery and 87 km EV range, plus 4.9-second 0-100 km/h pace. Its 3,215 mm wheelbase, adaptive air suspension and power-adjustable rear seats make the extra spend primarily a rear-passenger and plug-in-hybrid proposition.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the RM345,000 saving, RM379 annual road tax and a more compact 5,060 mm sedan.
Pick the BMW 7 Series if you want 87 km of EV range, 4.9-second acceleration and power-adjustable rear seating with adaptive air suspension.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; BMW 7 Series RM685,800.
- Road tax: BMW 5 Series RM379/year; BMW 7 Series RM2,125/year.
- Performance: BMW 5 Series 208 hp, 330 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds; BMW 7 Series 308 hp, 450 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
- Electrification: BMW 5 Series has no quoted battery or EV range; BMW 7 Series has an 18.7 kWh battery, 194 hp motor and 87 km EV range.
- Size: BMW 5 Series is 5,060 mm long with a 2,900 mm wheelbase; BMW 7 Series is 5,391 mm long with a 3,215 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; BMW 7 Series 525 litres.
5 Series
- RM345,000 less expensive.
- RM379 annual road tax versus RM2,125.
- 331 mm shorter body and 50 mm narrower width.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 7.5 seconds versus 4.9 seconds.
- No quoted EV range, versus the 7 Series' 87 km.
- No adaptive air suspension or power-adjustable rear seats.
7 Series
- 87 km EV range from an 18.7 kWh battery.
- 308 hp, 450 Nm and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
- Adaptive air suspension, power-adjustable rear seats and a 3,215 mm wheelbase.
- Costs RM345,000 more.
- Annual road tax is RM2,125, versus RM379.
- 331 mm longer and 50 mm wider than the 5 Series.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM685,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM2,125 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | — |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | 308 hp✓ |
| Torque | 330 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| 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 | Eight-speed Automatic | Steptronic Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 22 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,391 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,544 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 3,215 mm |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 525 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | — |
| Spare Tyre | — | No |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Air Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | 7 Airbags (2 Front, 2 Side, 2 Curtain, 1 Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | — |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | — |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Sky Lounge Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 4 |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | 2x side sunshades, 1x rear sunshade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" BMW Live Cockpit Professional system |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | 4 |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 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 5 Series & 7 Series for sale
5 Series vs 7 Series FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or BMW 7 Series better?
The BMW 5 Series is the better financial choice at RM340,800 with RM379 annual road tax. Choose the BMW 7 Series if its 87 km EV range, 4.9-second acceleration, adaptive air suspension and rear-seat specification justify RM685,800.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 7 Series costs RM685,800 and the BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800, so the difference is RM345,000.
Can the BMW 7 Series drive on electric power alone?
Yes. The BMW 7 Series plug-in hybrid has an 18.7 kWh battery, a 194 hp electric motor and a quoted EV range of 87 km. Its AC charging rate is 7.4 kW.