Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series undercuts the BMW X5 by RM130,000 and its RM379 annual road tax is far lighter than the SUV’s RM1,637. The sedan is not the performance choice: 208 hp, 330 Nm and a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time trail the X5’s 308 hp, 540 Nm and 5.4 seconds. But it is 125 mm longer while remaining 104 mm narrower. Pick the X5 for its 650-litre boot, all-wheel drive and air suspension if pace and load space matter enough to justify the higher costs.
5 Series
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the RM130,000 saving, lower RM379 annual road tax and a narrower 1,900-mm sedan.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you need 308 hp, all-wheel drive, a 650-litre boot and air suspension.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; BMW X5 RM470,800.
- Road tax per year: BMW 5 Series RM379; BMW X5 RM1,637.
- Output: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; BMW X5 308 hp and 540 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; BMW X5 5.4 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive; BMW X5 all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; BMW X5 650 litres.
5 Series
- RM130,000 less expensive
- RM379 annual road tax
- Driver’s seat memory settings
- 208 hp and 330 Nm versus the X5’s 308 hp and 540 Nm
- 490-litre boot versus 650 litres
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
X5
- 308 hp, 540 Nm and 5.4-second 0-100 km/h
- 650-litre boot and five doors
- Air suspension with adaptive dampers
- RM130,000 more expensive
- RM1,637 annual road tax versus RM379
- 104 mm wider and 250 mm taller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM470,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM1,637 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | 308 hp✓ |
| Torque | 330 Nm | 540 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | Eight-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 5.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,935 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,975 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 83 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 650 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 315/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Adaptive LED headlights 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| 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 | — | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| 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 | 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 |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 | 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 & X5 for sale
5 Series vs X5 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or BMW X5 better?
The BMW 5 Series is the better cost-conscious choice at RM130,000 less with far lower annual road tax. The BMW X5 is better for outright performance, all-wheel drive, air suspension and its 650-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM470,800 and the BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800, so the difference is RM130,000.
Which has the larger boot?
The BMW X5 has the larger boot at 650 litres, 160 litres more than the BMW 5 Series’ 490 litres.