Verdict
The BMW i4 costs RM294,800 and is the easier entry into BMW EV ownership, yet its 70.3-kWh battery and 500-km range leave it 127 km behind the i5. The RM74,000 gap buys the i5’s 83.9-kWh battery, 335 hp, 22-kW AC charging and a longer 2,995-mm wheelbase, plus executive-car rear climate control and a panoramic glass roof. Both are rear-wheel-drive single-motor EVs that reach 100 km/h in six seconds, so the i4 is not meaningfully slower in daily Malaysian traffic. Pick on space, range and rear-seat kit, not acceleration.
Pick the BMW i4 if RM74,000 saved, a 4,783-mm body and five-door practicality matter more than 127 km of extra range.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want 627 km of range, a 2,995-mm wheelbase and the richer rear-passenger equipment.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BMW i5 RM368,800.
- Battery and range: BMW i4 70.3 kWh and 500 km; BMW i5 83.9 kWh and 627 km.
- Motor output: BMW i4 282 hp and 400 Nm; BMW i5 335 hp and 430 Nm.
- Charging: BMW i4 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC; BMW i5 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC.
- Size and boot: BMW i4 is 4,783 mm long with 470 litres; BMW i5 is 5,060 mm long with 490 litres.
- Wheels: BMW i4 gets 19-inch wheels; BMW i5 gets 20-inch wheels.
i4
- RM74,000 less to buy.
- Five doors and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Lighter at 2,075 kg versus 2,205 kg.
- 500-km range trails the i5 by 127 km.
- 11-kW AC and 180-kW DC charging rates are lower.
- No panoramic glass roof, rear dual-zone climate control or rear window shades.
i5
- 627-km range from an 83.9-kWh battery.
- 22-kW AC charging and 205-kW DC charging.
- Rear dual-zone climate control, panoramic glass roof and powered rear sunshade.
- Costs RM74,000 more.
- Four-door body lacks the i4’s five-door layout.
- Heavier at 2,205 kg versus 2,075 kg.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM368,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM395 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | 430 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | 83.9 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 500 km | 627 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 22 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | 205 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 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 | 2,075 kg | 2,205 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 490 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 275/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Pirelli P Zero Elekt |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| 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 for 2nd Row Seats | Available on outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | 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 | Rear AC Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | 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" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 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 & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | 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 | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 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 & i5 for sale
i4 vs i5 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or BMW i5 better?
The BMW i5 is better for range, rear-seat comfort and charging capability: it delivers 627 km, rear dual-zone climate control and 22-kW AC charging. The BMW i4 is the smarter choice if those gains do not justify spending RM74,000 more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM74,000 more than the BMW i4: RM368,800 against RM294,800.
Which BMW EV has the longer range?
The BMW i5 has the longer claimed range at 627 km, compared with 500 km for the BMW i4. Its battery is also larger, at 83.9 kWh versus 70.3 kWh.