Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the BMW i5 at RM368,800 is the rational executive sedan: its 83.9 kWh battery delivers a quoted 627 km EV range, 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC charging, while annual road tax is RM395. The RM1,200,800 BMW M5 is the outright performance choice, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds against the i5’s six seconds and topping out at 250 km/h. But its 67 km EV range, RM8,408 road tax and 2,510 kg weight make it a far more specialised proposition.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if you want 627 km of electric range, rapid 205 kW DC charging and an RM832,000 saving.
M5
Pick the BMW M5 if 3.5-second 0-100 km/h performance, all-wheel drive and M Adaptive Suspension matter more than price and EV range.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; BMW M5 RM1,200,800.
- EV range: BMW i5 627 km; BMW M5 67 km.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 6.0 seconds; BMW M5 3.5 seconds.
- Road tax per year: BMW i5 RM395; BMW M5 RM8,408.
- Charging: BMW i5 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC; BMW M5 7.4 kW AC and no DC rate listed.
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; BMW M5 466 litres.
i5
- 627 km EV range from an 83.9 kWh battery.
- 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC charging.
- 490-litre boot and 2,995 mm wheelbase.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 6.0 seconds versus 3.5 seconds.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- 193 km/h top speed versus 250 km/h.
M5
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint and 250 km/h top speed.
- All-wheel drive with M Adaptive Suspension.
- Driver’s knee airbag and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- RM832,000 more expensive than the i5.
- 67 km EV range versus the i5’s 627 km.
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM395.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM1,200,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM8,408 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | — | 4,395 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 591 hp |
| Torque | — | 750 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 194 hp |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm✓ | 280 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh✓ | 22.1 kWh |
| EV Range | 627 km✓ | 67 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 7.4 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | M Steptronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 3.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,096 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,970 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,857 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 466 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 265/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 295/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Hankook S1 evo Z |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" M Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" M Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | M Adaptive Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 outer two 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 Auto High Beam |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 40:20:40 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades | Rear 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 Bowers & Wilkins 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | — |
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 & M5 for sale
i5 vs M5 FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or BMW M5 better?
The BMW i5 is better for electric range, charging capability, boot space and ownership costs. The BMW M5 is better for outright pace, with 3.5-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, 250 km/h top speed and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM832,000 more than the BMW i5: RM1,200,800 versus RM368,800.
Which BMW charges faster?
The BMW i5 charges much faster on AC, at 22 kW versus the M5’s 7.4 kW, and has a 205 kW DC charging rate. No DC charging rate is listed for the BMW M5.