Verdict
At RM368,800, the BMW i5 costs RM820,000 less and avoids the BMW M5’s RM8,408 annual road tax, requiring only RM395. Its 83.9-kWh battery gives a quoted 627 km EV range and accepts 205 kW DC charging, so it is the rational executive sedan if charging access is sorted. The BMW M5 answers with 3.5-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and a 591-hp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 backed by a 194-hp motor. But its 67 km EV range, 2,510 kg weight and 466-litre boot make the performance premium very clear.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want a 627 km electric range, 205 kW DC charging and far lower purchase and road-tax costs.
Pick the BMW M5 if 3.5-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, all-wheel drive and V8 plug-in hybrid performance matter more than cost.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; BMW M5 RM1,188,800.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 6.0 seconds; BMW M5 3.5 seconds.
- EV range: BMW i5 627 km; BMW M5 67 km.
- Driveline: BMW i5 rear-wheel drive; BMW M5 all-wheel drive.
- Weight: BMW i5 2,205 kg; BMW M5 2,510 kg.
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; BMW M5 466 litres.
i5
- RM820,000 cheaper to buy.
- 627 km EV range and 205 kW DC charging.
- Lighter at 2,205 kg, with a larger 490-litre boot.
- Slower 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time 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 acceleration.
- 591-hp 4,395 cc twin-turbo V8 plus a 194-hp electric motor.
- All-wheel drive and M Adaptive Suspension.
- Costs RM820,000 more.
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM395.
- Only 67 km EV range, and it is 305 kg heavier.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM1,188,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM8,408 |
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 the better ownership choice, with a 627 km EV range, 205 kW DC charging and much lower costs. The BMW M5 is better only if its 3.5-second sprint, all-wheel drive and V8 performance are the priority.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM820,000 more than the BMW i5: RM1,188,800 against RM368,800.
Which has the more useful electric range?
The BMW i5 does, with a 627 km EV range from its 83.9-kWh battery. The BMW M5 has a 22.1-kWh battery and a 67 km EV range, suited to shorter electric-only trips.