Verdict
At RM368,800, the locally assembled BMW i5 is RM57,000 cheaper than the RM425,800 BMW iX, yet its 83.9-kWh battery is rated for a longer 627 km versus 602 km and it can DC charge at 205 kW rather than 175 kW. The iX answers with two motors, 402 hp, 700 Nm and all-wheel drive, reaching 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds against the i5’s 6.0 seconds. For Malaysian buyers covering long intercity distances, the i5 is the sharper value; choose the iX for SUV access and stronger performance.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the lower RM368,800 entry price, 627 km claimed range and faster 205 kW DC charging in a sedan.
Pick the BMW iX if you need an SUV with all-wheel drive, 402 hp and 700 Nm for a 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; BMW iX RM425,800.
- Motor output: BMW i5 one motor, 335 hp and 430 Nm; BMW iX two motors, 402 hp and 700 Nm.
- Battery and range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh and 627 km; BMW iX 100.6 kWh and 602 km.
- DC charging: BMW i5 205 kW; BMW iX 175 kW.
- Performance and driveline: BMW i5 rear-wheel drive, 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; BMW iX all-wheel drive, 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; BMW iX 500 litres.
i5
- RM57,000 cheaper to buy
- 627 km claimed range
- 205 kW DC charging
- Slower 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.1 seconds
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- 490-litre boot is 10 litres smaller
iX
- 402 hp and 700 Nm from two motors
- All-wheel drive
- 500-litre boot and five doors
- Costs RM57,000 more
- 602 km range is 25 km shorter
- 175 kW DC charging is 30 kW slower
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM425,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM545 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp | 402 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 700 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 100.6 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km✓ | 602 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW✓ | 175 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 5.1 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,965 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,525 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 255/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 255/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Pirelli P Zero E |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual For Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear 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 |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Projector with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | — | Intelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | 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 i5 & iX for sale
i5 vs iX FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or BMW iX better?
The BMW i5 is the better buy for range and price: RM368,800, 627 km and 205 kW DC charging. The BMW iX is better if all-wheel drive, SUV packaging and its 402 hp, 700 Nm output matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX costs RM425,800, which is RM57,000 more than the BMW i5 at RM368,800.
Which BMW charges faster?
The BMW i5 has the higher DC charging rate at 205 kW, compared with 175 kW for the BMW iX. Both support 22 kW AC charging.