Verdict
At RM685,800, the CKD BMW 7 Series undercuts the RM1,188,000 CBU Lexus LS by RM502,200 and adds an 18.7-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery with 87 km of EV range. It is also larger, with a 525-litre boot, 3,215-mm wheelbase and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The Lexus counters with 415 hp, 600 Nm, a five-year warranty and properly lavish 28-way massaging front seats. For Malaysian buyers able to charge at home or work, the BMW is the more rational flagship; the Lexus is the comfort-led choice if its higher price is secondary.
7 Series
Pick the BMW 7 Series if you want an RM502,200 lower entry price, 87 km of EV range and the larger 525-litre boot.
LS
Pick the Lexus LS if you prioritise its 415 hp/600 Nm twin-turbo V6, five-year warranty and heated, ventilated, massaging seats front and rear.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 7 Series RM685,800; Lexus LS RM1,188,000.
- Powertrain: BMW has a 2,998-cc 308-hp/450-Nm engine plus a 194-hp/280-Nm motor; Lexus has a 3,445-cc 415-hp/600-Nm twin-turbo engine.
- Electrified driving: BMW has an 18.7-kWh battery and 87 km EV range; Lexus has no battery or EV range.
- Size and luggage: BMW is 5,391 mm long with a 3,215-mm wheelbase and 525-litre boot; Lexus is 5,235 mm, 3,125 mm and 480 litres.
- Warranty and road tax: BMW has two years' warranty plus three years' extended coverage and RM2,125 annual road tax; Lexus has a five-year warranty and RM4,133…
- Seat adjustment: BMW has power front seats and power rear seats; Lexus has 28-way front and 18-way rear power-adjustable seats.
7 Series
- RM502,200 less expensive
- 87 km plug-in-hybrid EV range
- Larger 525-litre boot and 3,215-mm wheelbase
- Engine output is lower at 308 hp and 450 Nm versus 415 hp and 600 Nm
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
- No listed front-seat heating, ventilation or massage
LS
- 415 hp and 600 Nm from its 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6
- 28-way heated, ventilated and massaging front seats
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Costs RM502,200 more
- RM4,133 annual road tax versus RM2,125
- No plug-in battery or EV range
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM685,800✓ | RM1,188,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Luxury |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125✓ | RM4,133 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 3,445 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp | 415 hp✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm | 600 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 85.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.476 |
| 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 | Steptronic Automatic | 10-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 22 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 5,235 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,155 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 82 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | — | 245/45RF20 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 245/45RF20 |
| Spare Tyre | No | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags (2 Front, 2 Side, 2 Curtain, 1 Driver's Knee) | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with Auto Brake and Rear Pedestrian Detection with Auto Brake |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | 28-way Power Adjustable Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation and Massage |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 18-way Power Adjustable Seats with Centre Armrest, Rear Touchscreen, Heating and Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x side sunshades, 1x rear sunshade | Powered Rear Sun Shade and Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Live Cockpit Professional system | 12.3" Display with Lexus Remote Touch Controller, Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and Pioneer 12-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | Soft close function, all doors |
| 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 | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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 7 Series & LS for sale
7 Series vs LS FAQ
Is the BMW 7 Series or Lexus LS better?
The BMW 7 Series is the better buy for its RM685,800 price, 87 km EV range, larger boot and quicker 4.9-second sprint. Choose the Lexus LS for its 415 hp, 600 Nm and more extensive seat comfort equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LS costs RM502,200 more than the BMW 7 Series: RM1,188,000 against RM685,800.
Which is larger, the BMW 7 Series or Lexus LS?
The BMW 7 Series is larger. It is 5,391 mm long, 1,950 mm wide and rides on a 3,215-mm wheelbase, versus the Lexus LS at 5,235 mm, 1,900 mm and 3,125 mm respectively.