Verdict
At RM368,800, the BMW i5 is RM90,200 cheaper and carries a far lighter RM395 annual road tax than the Lotus Emeya’s RM1,440. It also edges the Emeya on quoted range, 627 km versus 610 km, despite its smaller 83.9-kWh battery. The Lotus answers with 603 hp, 710 Nm and a 4.15-second 0-100 km/h time, against 335 hp, 430 Nm and 6.0 seconds for the BMW. Its 420-kW DC ceiling is more than double the i5’s 205 kW, but its 2,241-mm width will matter in Malaysian car parks.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the lower RM368,800 entry price, 627 km quoted range and easier day-to-day ownership costs.
Pick the Lotus Emeya if you want 603 hp, all-wheel drive and 420-kW DC charging, and can accept the RM90,200 premium.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Lotus Emeya RM459,000
- Road tax: BMW i5 RM395/year; Lotus Emeya RM1,440/year
- Motor output: BMW i5 335 hp and 430 Nm; Lotus Emeya 603 hp and 710 Nm
- Performance: BMW i5 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; Lotus Emeya in 4.15 seconds
- Battery/range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh and 627 km; Lotus Emeya 102 kWh and 610 km
- DC charging: BMW i5 205 kW; Lotus Emeya 420 kW
i5
- RM90,200 lower purchase price
- 627 km quoted EV range
- Powered rear sunshade, rear door shades and split-folding rear seats
- 205-kW DC charging rate trails the Emeya’s 420 kW
- 335 hp and rear-wheel drive versus 603 hp and all-wheel drive
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus five years
Emeya
- 603 hp, 710 Nm and 4.15-second 0-100 km/h
- 420-kW DC charging and 800V architecture
- Five-year vehicle warranty and 200,000-km battery warranty
- RM90,200 more expensive and RM1,045/year higher road tax
- 610 km quoted range is 17 km short of the BMW’s 627 km
- Fixed rear seats and no sunroof listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM459,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM1,440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp | 603 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 710 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 102 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km✓ | 610 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | 420 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 4.15 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,139 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 2,241 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,459 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 3,069 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | — |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 509 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Pirelli P-Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Continuous Dampening Control with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available on 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 | Projector LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED with Dynamic Indicators |
| 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 | Fixed |
| 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 | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 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) | 15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Surround View |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Tyre puncture repair kit |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | 8-year/200,000 km 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 & Emeya for sale
i5 vs Emeya FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Lotus Emeya better?
The BMW i5 is the better Malaysian ownership choice on price, road tax and quoted range. Choose the Lotus Emeya only if its 603 hp output, all-wheel drive and 420-kW DC charging matter more than the RM90,200 price gap.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emeya costs RM459,000, which is RM90,200 more than the BMW i5 at RM368,800.
Which EV charges faster?
The Lotus Emeya has the higher DC charging rate at 420 kW, versus 205 kW for the BMW i5. Both have 22-kW AC charging.