BMW i4 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Verdict
At RM1,912 apart, this is not a simple price fight. The BMW i4 gives Malaysian buyers a full EV package: 282 hp, a 70.3 kWh battery, 500 km of range and a quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class counters with petrol hybrid/REV running, a 50-litre tank, 7 airbags and a much higher 246 km/h top speed. The i4 feels the stronger electric sedan on paper; the C-Class is the easier fit if you still want petrol backup.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want the quicker rear-drive EV, 500 km rated range and a slightly larger boot.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz C-Class if you want petrol hybrid/REV driving, lower road tax and the higher top speed.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Mercedes-Benz C-Class RM292,888
- Power: BMW i4 282 hp; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 201 hp
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i4 6.0 s; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 7.3 s
- Top speed: BMW i4 190 km/h; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 246 km/h
- Battery and range: BMW i4 70.3 kWh with 500 km EV range; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 1.0 kWh with no EV range listed
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; Mercedes-Benz C-Class 455 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,800 | RM 292,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | Single motor | 1,496 cc |
| Power | 282 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | — | 300 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.0 s✓ | 7.3 s |
| Top speed | 190 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 70.3 kWh✓ | 1.0 kWh |
| EV range | 500 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,751 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 2,033 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,438 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Boot space | 470 L✓ | 455 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 50 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 305 | RM 90✓ |
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.
i4
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 500 km EV range from a 70.3 kWh battery
- Larger 470-litre boot
- Higher RM305 annual road tax
- Lower 190 km/h top speed
- Only 6 airbags against the C-Class’ 7
C-Class
- Higher 246 km/h top speed
- Lower RM90 annual road tax
- 7 airbags
- Slower 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Less power at 201 hp
- Smaller 455-litre boot
i4 vs C-Class FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class better?
The BMW i4 is better for EV performance, with 282 hp, 500 km range and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is better if you want petrol hybrid/REV use, 7 airbags and a higher 246 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM1,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. That small gap mainly separates a full EV sedan from a petrol hybrid/REV sedan, rather than two cars with similar drivetrains.
Which one is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The BMW i4 is quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class takes 7.3 seconds, though it has the higher top speed at 246 km/h versus the i4’s 190 km/h.