Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series costs RM118,200 less than the RM459,000 Lotus Emeya and its RM379 annual road tax is far easier on the Malaysian wallet than RM1,440. The Lotus counters with 603 hp, 710 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.15-second 0-100 km/h time, against the BMW’s 208 hp, 330 Nm and 7.5 seconds. Its 102 kWh battery, 610 km range and 420 kW DC charging make it the serious long-distance EV choice, but the 2,241 mm width needs consideration in tight car parks.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the RM118,200 lower entry price, far lower RM379 road tax and a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat.
Pick the Lotus Emeya if you want 603 hp, 710 Nm, 610 km EV range and dramatically quicker all-wheel-drive performance.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; Lotus Emeya RM459,000.
- Power and torque: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; Lotus Emeya 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; Lotus Emeya 4.15 seconds.
- Road tax per year: BMW 5 Series RM379; Lotus Emeya RM1,440.
- Width: BMW 5 Series 1,900 mm; Lotus Emeya 2,241 mm.
- Warranty: BMW 5 Series two years, extendable to five; Lotus Emeya five years plus an eight-year/200,000 km battery warranty.
5 Series
- RM118,200 lower purchase price.
- 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Six front and six rear parking sensors.
- 208 hp and 330 Nm trail the Emeya’s 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.35 seconds slower.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Emeya’s five years.
Emeya
- 603 hp, 710 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 102 kWh battery with 610 km range and 420 kW DC charging.
- Five-year vehicle warranty and eight-year/200,000 km battery warranty.
- RM459,000 price is RM118,200 higher.
- RM1,440 annual road tax versus RM379.
- 2,241 mm width is 341 mm greater, and the rear seats do not fold.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM459,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Grand Tourer |
| 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 | — | 102 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 610 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 420 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 | 4.15 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,139 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 2,241 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,459 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 3,069 mm |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 509 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 285/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Pirelli P-Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Continuous Dampening Control with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 | Fixed |
| 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 | — |
| 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 | Keyless Entry |
| 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 | 4 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Tyre puncture repair kit |
| 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 & Emeya for sale
5 Series vs Emeya FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Lotus Emeya better?
The Lotus Emeya is better for EV range, charging and outright pace: 610 km, 420 kW DC charging and 0-100 km/h in 4.15 seconds. The BMW 5 Series makes more sense for a lower purchase price, lower road tax and a folding rear seat.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emeya costs RM118,200 more than the BMW 5 Series, at RM459,000 versus RM340,800.
Which is easier to use in Malaysian car parks?
The BMW 5 Series is the easier bet on dimensions, measuring 1,900 mm wide versus the Lotus Emeya’s 2,241 mm. It also has six front parking sensors, compared with four on the Lotus.