Verdict
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 against RM470,800 for the BMW X5, and the RM102,000 saving is substantial for an executive-class buyer. Its 83.9-kWh battery, 335-hp rear motor and quoted 627-km EV range suit drivers with dependable charging, while annual road tax is only RM395. The X5 answers with all-wheel drive, a quicker 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 650 litres of boot space. It is the better family hauler, but its RM1,637 annual road tax and higher entry price demand a clear need for SUV utility.
Pick the BMW i5 if you can charge regularly and want to save RM102,000 while getting 627 km of quoted EV range and RM395 annual road tax.
Pick the BMW X5 if you need all-wheel drive, 650 litres of luggage room and the higher seating position of an SUV.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; BMW X5 RM470,800.
- Road tax per year: BMW i5 RM395; BMW X5 RM1,637.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 6.0 seconds; BMW X5 5.4 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; BMW X5 650 litres.
- Driveline: BMW i5 rear-wheel drive; BMW X5 all-wheel drive.
- Height: BMW i5 1,515 mm; BMW X5 1,765 mm.
i5
- RM102,000 cheaper to buy.
- 83.9-kWh battery with 627 km quoted EV range.
- 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 655W audio and an eight-year/160,000-km battery warranty.
- 490-litre boot is 160 litres smaller than the X5's.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than the X5's all-wheel drive.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 6.0 seconds versus 5.4 seconds.
X5
- 650-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
- All-wheel drive and a 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Air suspension with adaptive dampers and 21-inch wheels.
- RM102,000 more expensive than the i5.
- Annual road tax is RM1,637, versus RM395 for the i5.
- 17-speaker Harman Kardon 525W audio trails the i5's 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins 655W system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM470,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM1,637 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 308 hp |
| Torque | — | 540 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 627 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Eight-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 5.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,935 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,975 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 83 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 650 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 315/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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 2 Outer Rear 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 | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Driver and Passenger Powered 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 | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 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 | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual 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" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| 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 |
| 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 | — |
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 & X5 for sale
i5 vs X5 FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or BMW X5 better?
The BMW i5 is the better buy for regular charging and lower ownership outlay, with RM395 annual road tax and a quoted 627-km range. Choose the BMW X5 if 650 litres of cargo room, all-wheel drive and SUV practicality matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM102,000 more than the BMW i5. That gap also comes with a RM1,242 higher annual road-tax bill for the X5.
Which one is more practical for family luggage?
The BMW X5 is more practical for luggage, with a 650-litre boot versus 490 litres in the BMW i5. Its 40:20:40 rear seat split also gives more load-carrying flexibility than the i5's 60:40 arrangement.