Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 undercuts the RM384,972 Volkswagen Touareg by RM90,172 and its annual road tax is RM305 against RM1,632. For a Malaysian buyer with reliable charging, the i4’s 70.3-kWh battery, 500-km range and 180-kW DC charging make the cheaper electric sedan the rational daily choice. The Touareg counters with a 335-hp, 450-Nm 3.0-litre V6, all-wheel drive, air suspension and a far larger 810-litre boot. Both reach 100 km/h in six seconds, so this is practicality and petrol flexibility versus EV running requirements, not a straight performance mismatch.
Pick the BMW i4 if you have access to charging and want 500 km of EV range, 180-kW DC charging and RM1,327 less annual road tax.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need an 810-litre boot, all-wheel drive, air suspension and the convenience of a 90-litre petrol tank.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 has one 282-hp, 400-Nm electric motor and a 70.3-kWh battery; Touareg has a 2,995-cc V6 with 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- Range/fuel storage: BMW i4 has 500 km EV range; Touareg has a 90-litre petrol tank.
- Driveline: BMW i4 rear-wheel drive; Touareg all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; Touareg 810 litres.
- Road tax: BMW i4 RM305 per year; Touareg RM1,632 per year.
i4
- RM90,172 lower purchase price.
- 500-km EV range with 11-kW AC and 180-kW DC charging.
- Head-up display and auto parking.
- 470-litre boot trails the Touareg’s 810 litres.
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive.
- No air suspension or night vision.
Touareg
- 810-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- 335 hp, 450 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- Air suspension, HD Matrix LED headlamps and night vision.
- Costs RM90,172 more to buy.
- RM1,632 annual road tax is RM1,327 higher.
- No auto parking or head-up display.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 294,800✓ | RM 384,972 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 335 hp |
| Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | V |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 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 | — | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 305✓ | RM 1,632 |
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 & Touareg for sale
i4 vs Touareg FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The BMW i4 is the better buy for charging-equipped buyers: it costs RM90,172 less, has 500 km of EV range and RM305 road tax. Choose the Touareg for its 810-litre boot, all-wheel drive, air suspension and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM90,172 more than the BMW i4: RM384,972 versus RM294,800.
Which has more boot space, the BMW i4 or Volkswagen Touareg?
The Volkswagen Touareg has 810 litres of boot space, 340 litres more than the BMW i4’s 470 litres. Both have five seats and 40:20:40 split-folding rear backrests.