BMW i5 vs Lexus ES
Verdict
The BMW i5 is the faster, roomier and fully electric play: 335 hp, rear-wheel drive, 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, an 83.9 kWh battery and 627 km range. It is also longer by 85 mm, has 125 mm more wheelbase and gives 70 litres more boot space. The Lexus ES answers with the simpler petrol brief, a 2.5-litre engine, 60-litre tank, 10 airbags and a five-year warranty. For Malaysia, this is about charging readiness versus long-warranty petrol use.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the stronger 335 hp, 6.0-second rear-drive sedan with 627 km of EV range.
Pick the Lexus ES if you want a petrol executive sedan with 10 airbags, a five-year warranty and a lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Powertrain: BMW i5 electric single motor; Lexus ES 2,487 cc petrol engine
- Power: BMW i5 335 hp; Lexus ES 204 hp
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 6.0 s; Lexus ES 9.1 s
- Length/wheelbase: BMW i5 5,060 mm/2,995 mm; Lexus ES 4,975 mm/2,870 mm
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; Lexus ES 420 litres
- Road tax per year: BMW i5 RM395; Lexus ES RM867
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 368,800 | RM 320,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Engine | Single motor | 2,487 cc |
| Power | 335 hp✓ | 204 hp |
| Torque | — | 247 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.0 s✓ | 9.1 s |
| Top speed | 193 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | 83.9 kWh | — |
| EV range | 627 km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,975 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,870 mm |
| Boot space | 490 L✓ | 420 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 60 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 10✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 395✓ | RM 867 |
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.
i5
- 335 hp and 6.0-second 0-100 km/h
- 627 km EV range from an 83.9 kWh battery
- 490-litre boot and 2,995 mm wheelbase
- Six airbags versus 10 in the Lexus ES
- Two-year vehicle warranty, not the Lexus ES’ five
- 193 km/h top speed trails the Lexus ES’ 210 km/h
ES
- 10 airbags
- Five-year warranty
- 210 km/h top speed
- 204 hp, down on the BMW i5’s 335 hp
- 9.1-second 0-100 km/h is much slower
- 420-litre boot and 2,870 mm wheelbase are smaller
i5 vs ES FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Lexus ES better?
The BMW i5 is better for performance, EV range and boot space. The Lexus ES is better for warranty length, airbag count and petrol convenience. Choose the BMW for electric pace; choose the Lexus for the lower-risk conventional brief.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 and the Lexus ES costs RM320,888, so the BMW is RM47,912 dearer.
Which one is quicker?
The BMW i5 is quicker to 100 km/h, taking 6.0 seconds against the Lexus ES’ 9.1 seconds. The Lexus has the higher top speed, at 210 km/h versus 193 km/h.