Verdict
The BMW i5 is the defined purchase here at RM368,800: its 335 hp, 430 Nm rear motor, 83.9 kWh battery and 205 kW DC charging give Malaysian EV buyers a clear long-distance and charging proposition. Its listed range is 627 km, while the WLTP figure is 582 km. The Lexus ES is 80 mm longer and 20 mm wider, and its petrol hybrid/REV layout removes the i5’s dependence on charging. But its price and performance figures are still TBA, so there is no honest ringgit-for-ringgit running-cost or performance verdict yet.
Pick the BMW i5 if you can charge regularly and want a 335 hp EV with an 83.9 kWh battery, 205 kW DC charging and a 2,995 mm wheelbase.
Pick the Lexus ES if petrol hybrid/REV operation and its larger 5,140 mm by 1,920 mm body matter more than committing to EV charging.
Key differences
- Length: BMW i5 5,060 mm; Lexus ES 5,140 mm.
- Width: BMW i5 1,900 mm; Lexus ES 1,920 mm.
- Height: BMW i5 1,515 mm; Lexus ES 1,555 mm.
- Wheelbase: BMW i5 2,995 mm; Lexus ES 2,950 mm.
i5
- 335 hp and 430 Nm rear electric motor
- 83.9 kWh battery with 205 kW DC charging
- 45 mm longer wheelbase
- 80 mm shorter body than the Lexus ES
- 20 mm narrower body than the Lexus ES
ES
- 80 mm longer body
- 20 mm wider body
- Petrol hybrid/REV powertrain
- 45 mm shorter wheelbase than the BMW i5
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800 | TBA |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | — |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 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 | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | — |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,140 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,950 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | — |
| Doors | 4 | — |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | — |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | — |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | — |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | — |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | — |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | — |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | — |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | — |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | — |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | — |
| Taillamps | LED | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | — |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Rear Air-con | 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 | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | — |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door 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) | — |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | — |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | — |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | — |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | — |
| Warranty Extended | 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 & ES for sale
i5 vs ES FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Lexus ES better?
The BMW i5 is the clearer choice on known specifications, with 335 hp, 430 Nm, an 83.9 kWh battery and 205 kW DC charging. Choose the Lexus ES if you specifically prefer its petrol hybrid/REV format and larger exterior dimensions.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800, but the Lexus ES price is TBA. A price difference cannot yet be calculated.
How far can the BMW i5 travel on one charge?
The BMW i5 is listed with 627 km of EV range. Its 83.9 kWh battery is also cited with a 582 km WLTP range figure, so use the WLTP number as the more directly comparable test-cycle reference.