Verdict
The BMW 5 Series is the sensible executive choice at RM340,800, undercutting the Lotus Eletre by RM158,200 and carrying a far lower RM379 annual road tax versus RM1,440. Its 208 hp, 330 Nm mild-hybrid petrol powertrain and 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time are adequate rather than urgent. The Eletre is the high-performance alternative: its twin motors produce 603 hp and 710 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, while its 112 kWh battery claims 600 km of range. It also brings AWD and a 688-litre boot, but is much wider at 2,135 mm.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the RM158,200 saving, lower RM379 road tax and a 1,900 mm-wide CKD executive sedan.
Pick the Lotus Eletre if you want 603 hp, 710 Nm, AWD, a claimed 600 km EV range and 350 kW DC charging.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; Lotus Eletre RM499,000.
- Power and torque: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; Lotus Eletre 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; Lotus Eletre 4.5 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive; Lotus Eletre all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; Lotus Eletre 688 litres.
- Annual road tax: BMW 5 Series RM379; Lotus Eletre RM1,440.
5 Series
- RM158,200 cheaper to buy.
- RM1,061 lower annual road tax.
- Narrower 1,900 mm body and unlimited-km warranty cover.
- Slower: 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h versus 4.5 seconds.
- Smaller 490-litre boot versus 688 litres.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
Eletre
- 603 hp and 710 Nm from two electric motors.
- Claimed 600 km range with 22 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging.
- 688-litre boot, AWD and a five-year/150,000 km warranty.
- Costs RM158,200 more.
- Annual road tax is RM1,440 versus RM379.
- At 2,135 mm wide, it is 235 mm wider than the BMW 5 Series.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM499,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM1,440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | — |
| Torque | 330 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 603 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 710 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 112 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 4.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 258 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,103 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 2,135 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,630 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 3,019 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,490 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 688 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 285/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Aero Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbags and Front Knee Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two rear passenger 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 | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 2 USB-C front, 2 USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot 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 |
| 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✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/200,000 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 5 Series & Eletre for sale
5 Series vs Eletre FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Lotus Eletre better?
The Eletre is better for outright performance, EV range, AWD and cargo space, with 603 hp, a claimed 600 km range and a 688-litre boot. The 5 Series is better for purchase cost and annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Eletre costs RM499,000 and the BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800, so the Eletre carries a RM158,200 premium.
Which is quicker and easier to charge?
The Lotus Eletre reaches 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, against 7.5 seconds for the BMW 5 Series. It has a 112 kWh battery, 22 kW AC charging and 350 kW DC charging; the BMW is a petrol mild hybrid.