Verdict
At RM430,800, the i4 M50 costs RM62,000 more than the RM368,800 i5, and its 537 hp, 795 Nm dual-motor all-wheel-drive layout cuts 0-100 km/h to 3.9 seconds. The i5 counters with 627 km range from the same 83.9 kWh battery, versus 510 km, plus 22 kW AC charging and a roomier 2,995 mm wheelbase. For Malaysian running costs, the i5’s RM395 annual road tax is far gentler than RM1,065. Pick pace and a more compact five-door body in the i4; pick distance, rear-seat space and lower costs in the i5.
Pick the BMW i4 M50 if 3.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, all-wheel drive and a shorter 4,783 mm five-door body matter more than range and road tax.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want 627 km range, 22 kW AC charging, a 2,995 mm wheelbase and RM395 yearly road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 M50 RM430,800; BMW i5 RM368,800.
- Performance: BMW i4 M50 537 hp, 795 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds; BMW i5 335 hp, 430 Nm and 6.0 seconds.
- Range: BMW i4 M50 510 km; BMW i5 627 km, both with an 83.9 kWh battery.
- AC charging: BMW i4 M50 11 kW; BMW i5 22 kW.
- Size and boot: BMW i4 M50 has a 2,856 mm wheelbase and 470-litre boot; BMW i5 has a 2,995 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot.
- Annual road tax: BMW i4 M50 RM1,065; BMW i5 RM395.
i4 M50
- 537 hp and 795 Nm with all-wheel drive.
- 3.9-second 0-100 km/h sprint and 225 km/h top speed.
- 277 mm shorter body with five doors.
- 510 km range trails the i5’s 627 km.
- 11 kW AC charging is half the i5’s 22 kW rate.
- RM1,065 annual road tax is RM670 higher.
i5
- 627 km range from the same 83.9 kWh battery.
- 22 kW AC charging and 205 kW DC charging.
- Longer 2,995 mm wheelbase, 490-litre boot and rear climate control with two zones.
- 335 hp and 430 Nm fall well short of the i4 M50’s 537 hp and 795 Nm.
- 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.1 seconds slower.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than the i4 M50’s all-wheel drive.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM430,800 | RM368,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,065 | RM395✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 537 hp✓ | 335 hp |
| Motor Torque | 795 Nm✓ | 430 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 83.9 kWh |
| EV Range | 510 km | 627 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11.0 kW | 22 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 200.0 kW | 205 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | eDrive | — |
| Gears | 1 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BMW AG | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.9 seconds✓ | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 225 km/h✓ | 193 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 5,060 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,290 kg | 2,205 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R20 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R20 | 275/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Pirelli P Zero Elekt |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (5 km/h to 250 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Exterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive Laser High Beam | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular, with Reversing Assist | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, BMW IconicSounds Electric | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 6-year/100,000 km Free Service Package, 8-year/100,000 km Battery Warranty | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery |
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 i4 M50 & i5 for sale
i4 M50 vs i5 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 M50 or BMW i5 better?
The i4 M50 is better for outright performance, with 537 hp, all-wheel drive and 3.9-second acceleration to 100 km/h. The i5 is the stronger daily Malaysian EV: it reaches 627 km, charges at 22 kW AC and has much lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 M50 costs RM62,000 more than the BMW i5. That gap buys 202 hp more, 365 Nm more torque, all-wheel drive and a 2.1-second quicker 0-100 km/h time, but not more range.
Which BMW charges faster at home or an AC destination charger?
The BMW i5 charges at up to 22 kW AC, double the BMW i4 M50’s 11 kW maximum. DC charging is close: 205 kW for the i5 and 200 kW for the i4 M50.