Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 is the lower-cost route into this pairing and its 70.3-kWh battery, 500-km range and 180-kW DC charging suit buyers with dependable charging access. The RM469,800 BMW X5 costs RM175,000 more, but brings a 650-litre boot, all-wheel drive and a quicker 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 83-litre petrol tank and RM1,637 annual road tax make it the less economical choice to keep on the road; the i4’s is RM305.
i4
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge at home or work and want 500 km of EV range, 180-kW DC charging and far lower annual road tax.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you need a 650-litre boot, all-wheel drive, air suspension and the flexibility of an 83-litre petrol tank.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BMW X5 RM469,800.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 has one 282-hp/400-Nm electric motor and a 70.3-kWh battery; BMW X5 has a 2,998-cc 308-hp/540-Nm inline petrol hybrid/REV powertrain.
- Performance: BMW i4 reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and tops out at 190 km/h; BMW X5 does 5.4 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; BMW X5 650 litres.
- Road tax: BMW i4 RM305 per year; BMW X5 RM1,637 per year.
- Size: BMW i4 is 4,783 mm long and 1,852 mm wide; BMW X5 is 4,935 mm long and 2,004 mm wide.
i4
- 500-km EV range from a 70.3-kWh lithium-ion battery.
- 180-kW CCS DC and 11-kW Type 2 AC charging.
- RM305 annual road tax and 8-year/160,000-km battery warranty.
- 470-litre boot is 180 litres smaller than the X5's.
- 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time trails the X5's 5.4 seconds.
- No panoramic sliding sunroof or rear dual-zone climate control.
X5
- 650-litre boot and five seats.
- 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time, 250-km/h top speed and all-wheel drive.
- Air suspension with adaptive dampers, panoramic sunroof and 17-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- RM175,000 more expensive than the i4.
- RM1,637 annual road tax is RM1,332 higher than the i4's.
- At 2,004 mm wide, it is 152 mm wider than the i4.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,800✓ | RM 469,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 308 hp |
| Torque | — | 540 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 500 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Eight-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 5.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,935 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,975 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 2,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 83 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 650 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 315/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available for 2 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 | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | LED Combination |
| 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 |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| 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 | — | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear 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 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| 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 | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 305✓ | RM 1,637 |
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 & X5 for sale
i4 vs X5 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or BMW X5 better?
The i4 is better for lower running tax and electric driving, with 500 km of range and 180-kW DC charging. The X5 is better for family load space, all-wheel drive and pace, with a 650-litre boot and 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM175,000 more than the BMW i4.
Which one is more practical for luggage and passengers?
The BMW X5 is the more practical choice for luggage, with a 650-litre boot against the i4's 470 litres. Both have five seats, five doors and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.