BMW 7 Series vs Lexus LS
Verdict
The BMW 7 Series is the more rational Malaysian buy: it costs RM510,200 less, runs a petrol plug-in hybrid setup with 87 km of electric range and 22 g/km CO₂, yet is fractionally quicker at 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h. It is also longer, wider and taller, with a 525-litre boot. The Lexus LS counters with a stronger 415 hp/600 Nm petrol engine, 10 airbags, AEB and a five-year warranty. But its 5.0-second sprint and 480-litre boot do not turn the numbers around.
Pick the BMW 7 Series if you want RM510,200 kept in your pocket, all-wheel drive and the bigger 525-litre boot.
Pick the Lexus LS if you put more weight on 415 hp/600 Nm, a five-year warranty and listed safety kit of 10 airbags with AEB.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 7 Series RM677,800; Lexus LS RM1,188,000
- Power and torque: BMW 7 Series 308 hp/450 Nm; Lexus LS 415 hp/600 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW 7 Series 4.9 s/250 km/h; Lexus LS 5.0 s/250 km/h
- Drivetrain: BMW 7 Series petrol plug-in hybrid AWD with 18.7 kWh battery and 87 km EV range; Lexus LS petrol RWD with 82-litre tank
- Size and boot: BMW 7 Series 5,391 mm long with 3,215 mm wheelbase and 525 L boot; Lexus LS 5,235 mm, 3,125 mm and 480 L
- Warranty and road tax: BMW 7 Series 2 years and RM2,125/year; Lexus LS 5 years and RM4,133/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 677,800✓ | RM 1,188,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Luxury |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Engine | 2,998 cc | 3,445 cc |
| Power | 308 hp | 415 hp✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm | 600 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 4.9 s✓ | 5.0 s |
| Top speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | — | 9.5 L/100km |
| Battery | 18.7 kWh | — |
| EV range | 87 km | — |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 525 L✓ | 480 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 82 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | — | 10 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125✓ | RM 4,133 |
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.
7 Series
- RM510,200 cheaper to buy
- 87 km electric range and 22 g/km CO₂
- Bigger 525-litre boot
- Less power and torque: 308 hp/450 Nm
- Warranty is only 2 years
- Airbags and AEB are not stated
LS
- Stronger 415 hp/600 Nm engine
- 5-year warranty
- 10 airbags and AEB stated
- Costs RM510,200 more
- Higher RM4,133 annual road tax
- Smaller 480-litre boot
7 Series vs LS FAQ
Is the BMW 7 Series or Lexus LS better?
For most Malaysian buyers, the BMW 7 Series is the better numbers play: RM510,200 cheaper, quicker by 0.1 second, larger outside, bigger boot and 87 km EV range. The Lexus LS is stronger on power, warranty and stated safety kit.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LS is RM510,200 dearer than the BMW 7 Series. That is a very large gap when the BMW is also fractionally quicker to 100 km/h and has a bigger boot.
Which is bigger?
The BMW 7 Series is bigger: 5,391 mm long, 1,950 mm wide, 1,544 mm tall, with a 3,215 mm wheelbase. The Lexus LS measures 5,235 mm, 1,900 mm, 1,450 mm and 3,125 mm respectively.