Verdict
The RM72,088-cheaper BMW i4 makes the stronger case for a Malaysian buyer who can charge regularly: its 70.3 kWh battery claims 500 km of range, accepts up to 180 kW DC charging and delivers 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The Lexus ES counters with a 4.4 L/100 km hybrid rating, a larger 493-litre boot and five-year manufacturer warranty. It is also 357 mm longer, so parking and tight urban spaces will favour the i4. But the ES brings eight airbags, 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio and a panoramic roof.
Pick the BMW i4 if you have dependable home or destination charging and want 500 km EV range, 180 kW DC charging and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time for less money.
Pick the Lexus ES if you want a 4.4 L/100 km petrol-hybrid sedan with a larger boot, five-year warranty, eight airbags and more standard cabin equipment.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Lexus ES RM366,888.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 has a 282 hp, 400 Nm electric motor and 70.3 kWh battery; Lexus ES has a 2,487 cc hybrid with 247 PS total system output.
- Performance: BMW i4 reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; Lexus ES takes 7.7 seconds.
- Energy use: BMW i4 claims 500 km EV range and up to 180 kW DC charging; Lexus ES is rated at 4.4 L/100 km with a 55-litre fuel tank.
- Size and luggage: BMW i4 is 4,783 mm long with a 470-litre boot; Lexus ES is 5,140 mm long with a 493-litre boot.
- Warranty and airbags: BMW i4 has a two-year manufacturer warranty and six airbags; Lexus ES has a five-year warranty and eight airbags.
i4
- RM72,088 lower purchase price and RM305 annual road tax
- 500 km claimed EV range with 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC charging
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
- Six airbags versus eight
- 470-litre boot is 23 litres smaller
ES
- 4.4 L/100 km hybrid economy rating with a 55-litre tank
- 493-litre boot, panoramic roof and heated and ventilated front seats
- Eight airbags, five-year warranty and 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio
- RM72,088 higher purchase price and RM867 annual road tax
- 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the i4's 6.0 seconds
- No claimed EV range or DC charging capability like the i4's 500 km and 180 kW figures
What the i4 has over the ES
What the ES has over the i4
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The ES's wheelbase is 94 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The ES is 68 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM366,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM867 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,010/mo✓ | RM3,745/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,913✓ | RM9,886 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,249✓ | RM1,751 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.25✓ | RM8.76 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM47,335✓ | RM62,519 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 6.4 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 25 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | A25A-FXS 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance; sixth-generation Lexus Hybrid System with 68-cell 251.6V lithium-ion battery; 247 PS (244 hp) total system output |
| Capacity | — | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 186 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 235 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 270 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 500 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | E-CVT |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 4.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 200 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 101 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 5,140 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,950 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 1,810 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 493 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Michelin Primacy 5 Energy |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | — |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 19" Medium Grey Metallic Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 19" Medium Grey Metallic Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Electric Power Steering with Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Revised TNGA GA-K platform; MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear (first ES with multi-link); electric power steering with variable gear ratio |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Safety Notes | — | Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, Emergency Steering Assist (ESA) with Active Support, Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Traffic Movement Notification (TMN), Safe Exit Assist (SEA), Vehicle Approach Notice, Parking Support Alert / Parking Support Brake (PKSB), Active Cornering Assist (ACA), Secondary Collision Brake (SCB), Vehicle Braking Posture Control, Emergency Brake Signal, Brake Assist (BA), Brake Hold, Tyre Pressure Warning System, Intruder and Tilt Sensors |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | Slim LED Headlamps with Twin L-Signature, Auto Levelling and Automatic High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | LED Light Bar with Illuminated Lexus Logo |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | 8-way Powered Driver's Seat with Memory and Power Easy Access, 8-way Powered Passenger Seat, 2-way Lumbar, 3-level Heating and Ventilation, Perforated Synthetic Leather |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Fold-down Centre Armrest with Cup Holders, Adjustable Headrests |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge, S-Flow Control and nanoe |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Slim Panoramic Roof with Single Movable Glass |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 2 USB-C (60W) Front, 12V in Console Box, 2 USB-C (45W) Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Omotenashi Ambient Lighting (64 Colours, 6 Dynamic Themes) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 14" Full HD Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound, 17 Speakers + Subwoofer, Active Noise Control |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | Yes, with Parking Support Brake |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | Yes, with Parking Support Brake |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, Lexus Teammate Advanced Park |
| 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 | — | Responsive Hidden Switches, Heated Steering Wheel, Qi Wireless Charger, Digital Rear View Mirror, Electro-Shiftmatic Shift-by-wire with EV Mode Switch, Drive Modes (Normal, Eco, Sport, Custom), Auto-dimming Driver's Wing Mirror with Memory and Reverse-linked Tilt, Front Door Scuff Plates |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year hybrid components warranty |
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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used i4 & ES for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW i4
Lexus ES
i4 vs ES FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Lexus ES better?
The BMW i4 is better if charging access is part of your routine, as it is quicker and claims 500 km of EV range. The Lexus ES is better for buyers who want petrol-hybrid running, a larger boot, more airbags and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus ES costs RM72,088 more than the BMW i4. The i4 is RM294,800, while the ES is RM366,888.
Which is more suitable for long-distance travel?
The Lexus ES suits trips where charging stops are inconvenient, with its 4.4 L/100 km rating and 55-litre tank. The i4 can cover a claimed 500 km per charge and supports up to 180 kW DC charging where suitable chargers are available.
How long does charging take?
The i4's 70.3 kWh battery takes about 6.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 180 kW peak.