Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 costs RM8,555 more than the RM286,245 Subaru WRX, but its 70.3-kWh battery brings a claimed 500 km range and annual road tax is RM305 against RM767. The BMW’s 282-hp, 400-Nm rear motor and single-ratio transmission make for a very different drive from the WRX’s 271-hp, 375-Nm 2.4-litre turbo, six-speed manual and all-wheel drive. It is also 565 kg heavier. For Malaysian buyers with home or workplace charging, the i4 is the more spacious, better-equipped choice; the WRX is for those who specifically want a manual and AWD.
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 500 km claimed range, a 470-litre boot and substantially more driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Subaru WRX if a six-speed manual, all-wheel drive and a RM8,555 lower entry price matter more than EV range and equipment.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 has one 282-hp, 400-Nm motor; Subaru WRX has a 271-hp, 375-Nm 2.4-litre turbo engine.
- Driveline and transmission: BMW i4 rear-wheel drive with single-ratio automatic; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Energy and road tax: BMW i4 has a 70.3-kWh battery, 500 km range and RM305 annual road tax; Subaru WRX has a 63-litre tank and RM767 annual road tax.
- Weight and boot: BMW i4 weighs 2,075 kg with 470 litres; Subaru WRX weighs 1,510 kg with 411 litres.
- Wheelbase: BMW i4 2,856 mm; Subaru WRX 2,672 mm.
i4
- 500 km claimed EV range and 180-kW DC charging
- 470-litre boot and 2,856-mm wheelbase
- Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and 360-degree camera
- RM8,555 dearer to buy
- 565 kg heavier
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the WRX’s five years
WRX
- Six-speed manual and all-wheel drive
- RM8,555 lower purchase price
- 565 kg lighter than the i4
- No stated EV range or DC charging capability
- 411-litre boot is 59 litres smaller
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800 | RM286,245✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 271 hp |
| Torque | — | 375 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 400 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 | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Subaru |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| 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 two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 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 & WRX for sale
i4 vs WRX FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Subaru WRX better?
The BMW i4 is the better daily-use choice if you can charge it, with 500 km claimed range, a larger boot and more assistance systems. Choose the Subaru WRX for its six-speed manual and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM8,555 more than the Subaru WRX.
How quickly can the BMW i4 charge?
The BMW i4 supports up to 11 kW AC charging and 180 kW DC charging. The Subaru WRX is petrol-powered, using a 63-litre fuel tank rather than a charging system.