Verdict
At RM294,800, the i4 costs only RM1,912 more than the RM292,888 C-Class, yet brings 500 km of EV range, a 282 hp/400 Nm motor and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time. That suits a Malaysian owner with dependable charging, although its RM305 annual road tax is RM215 higher. The C-Class uses a 201 hp, 300 Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with a 20 hp/200 Nm motor, returns a rated 6.6 L/100 km and reaches 246 km/h, avoiding charging dependence. BMW also gets a 470-litre boot, 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise and head-up display; Mercedes adds rear sunshades and specified pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 500 km EV range, quicker 6.0-second acceleration, adaptive cruise and a head-up display.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you need petrol-backed travel without charging, prefer its 246 km/h top speed and want rear window sunshades.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i4 6.0 seconds; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 7.3 seconds.
- Energy use: BMW i4 has a 70.3 kWh battery and 500 km EV range; Mercedes-Benz C-Class is rated at 6.6 L/100 km.
- Annual road tax: BMW i4 RM305; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM90.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 455 litres.
- Cruise control: BMW i4 adaptive cruise control; Mercedes-Benz C-Class passive cruise control.
i4
- 500 km EV range from a 70.3 kWh battery
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise and head-up display
- RM305 annual road tax versus RM90
- Lower 190 km/h top speed versus 246 km/h
- No rear window sunshades
C-Class
- Rated 6.6 L/100 km fuel economy
- 246 km/h top speed
- Powered rear sunshade and manual rear door sunshades
- 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.0 seconds
- 455-litre boot versus 470 litres
- Passive rather than adaptive cruise control
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800 | RM292,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305 | RM90✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp |
| Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 78 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp✓ | 20 hp |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 200 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 7.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 151 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,820 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 1,650 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 455 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 225/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Pirelli Cinturato P7 Run-flat |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Multi-Link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 18" 5-spoke 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Agility Control Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's 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 (7 to 250 km/h), with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (7 to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Collision Prevention, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Active Bonnet |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar |
| 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 | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Rear Sun Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Sun Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 11.4" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| 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 Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, 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 |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| 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 | — | Auto-dimming Mirrors, Qi Wireless Charger, Fingerprint Scanner |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery 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.
Used i4 & C-Class for sale
i4 vs C-Class FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class better?
The BMW i4 is the stronger choice if home or workplace charging is practical: it is quicker, has 500 km EV range and more driver-assistance hardware. Choose the C-Class for petrol-backed travel, 6.6 L/100 km rated economy and a 246 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM294,800 and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class costs RM292,888, so the i4 is RM1,912 dearer.
Which has the lower annual road tax?
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has the lower annual road tax at RM90, compared with RM305 for the BMW i4. That is a RM215 yearly difference.