Verdict
Separated by just RM110, the BMW i5 costs RM368,800 and the Denza Z9 GT RM368,690, but ownership maths diverge fast: annual road tax is RM395 for the i5 against RM9,140 for the Z9 GT. The BMW travels 627 km from an 83.9-kWh battery, 27 km farther than the Denza, and suits buyers who value that lower recurring bill. The Denza answers with 1,140 hp, a 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time, 1,500-kW DC charging capability and far richer rear-seat hardware. It is the more extravagant machine, but not the cheaper one to tax.
Pick the BMW i5 if annual road tax, a 627-km claimed range and a 2,205-kg sedan matter more than outright performance.
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if you want 1,140 hp, 2.7-second acceleration, air suspension and powered rear seats with leg rests.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Denza Z9 GT RM368,690.
- Annual road tax: BMW i5 RM395; Denza Z9 GT RM9,140.
- Power and 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 335 hp and 6.0 seconds; Denza Z9 GT 1,140 hp and 2.7 seconds.
- Battery and range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh and 627 km; Denza Z9 GT 122.49 kWh and 600 km.
- Charging: BMW i5 22-kW AC and 205-kW DC; Denza Z9 GT 11-kW AC and 1,500-kW DC.
- Driveline and weight: BMW i5 rear-wheel drive and 2,205 kg; Denza Z9 GT all-wheel drive and 2,895 kg.
i5
- RM8,745 lower annual road tax.
- 627-km EV range, 27 km more than the Denza.
- 22-kW AC charging and a 690-kg lower kerb weight.
- 335 hp and 6.0-second acceleration trail the Denza's 1,140 hp and 2.7 seconds.
- No air suspension, V2L, powered rear seats or rear-seat leg rests.
- 205-kW DC charging is far below the Denza's 1,500-kW figure.
Z9 GT
- 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm and 2.7-second 0-100 km/h performance.
- 1,500-kW DC charging capability, 1,000V architecture and 4-kW V2L.
- Air suspension, ventilated massaging front seats and powered rear seats with leg rests.
- RM9,140 annual road tax versus RM395 for the BMW.
- 600-km range is 27 km short of the BMW's 627 km despite a 122.49-kWh battery.
- 2,895 kg kerb weight is 690 kg higher, and AC charging is limited to 11 kW versus 22 kW.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800 | RM368,690✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM9,140 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 3 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp | 1,140 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 1,210 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 122.49 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km✓ | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | 1,500 kW✓ |
| V2L | — | 4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 2.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,180 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,990 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,490 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,895 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 495 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 225/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 225/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available on Outer Two 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 | LED Projectors |
| 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 Ventilation, Memory and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests |
| 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 Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB 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 | Sunroof Shade |
| 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) | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen |
| 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 | 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 Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, e3 Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear Fridges |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage 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 & Z9 GT for sale
i5 vs Z9 GT FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Denza Z9 GT better?
The BMW i5 is the more sensible Malaysian choice for its RM395 annual road tax and 627-km range. Choose the Denza Z9 GT for vastly stronger performance, air suspension and substantially more rear-seat equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Denza Z9 GT is RM110 cheaper than the BMW i5. That tiny purchase-price gap is eclipsed by the RM8,745 annual road-tax difference in the BMW's favour.
Which has the better charging hardware?
The Denza Z9 GT has the higher 1,500-kW DC charging figure and 1,000V architecture, while the BMW i5 has faster 22-kW AC charging versus 11 kW. The Denza also provides 4-kW vehicle-to-load power.