Verdict
At RM368,800, the BMW i5 costs RM90,200 less than the RM459,000 Lotus Emeya, and its RM395 annual road tax is RM1,045 lighter. It also claims 627 km from 83.9 kWh, 17 km beyond the Emeya’s 610 km despite its 102-kWh battery. The Emeya makes its case for buyers using high-power DC sites: 420 kW versus 205 kW, plus 603 hp, all-wheel drive and a 4.15-second sprint. Its 2,241-mm width will demand more care in Malaysian car parks than the i5’s 1,900 mm.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the lower purchase and road-tax costs, slightly longer claimed range and a more parking-friendly executive sedan.
Pick the Lotus Emeya if 603 hp, all-wheel drive, 420-kW DC charging and air suspension matter more than the extra outlay.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Lotus Emeya RM459,000.
- Road tax: BMW i5 RM395 per year; Lotus Emeya RM1,440 per year.
- Motor output: BMW i5 335 hp and 430 Nm; Lotus Emeya 603 hp and 710 Nm.
- DC charging: BMW i5 205 kW; Lotus Emeya 420 kW.
- Claimed range: BMW i5 627 km; Lotus Emeya 610 km.
- Width: BMW i5 1,900 mm; Lotus Emeya 2,241 mm.
i5
- RM90,200 lower purchase price
- 627-km claimed range and RM395 annual road tax
- 60:40 split-fold rear seats, auto parking and powered rear sunshade
- 335 hp and 430 Nm trail the Emeya’s 603 hp and 710 Nm
- 205-kW DC charging is well behind the Emeya’s 420 kW
- Rear-wheel drive versus the Emeya’s all-wheel drive
Emeya
- 603 hp, 710 Nm and 4.15-second 0-100 km/h time
- 420-kW DC charging and 800V architecture
- Air suspension, 509-litre boot and five-year vehicle warranty
- RM90,200 higher purchase price
- RM1,440 annual road tax versus RM395 for the i5
- 610-km claimed range and fixed rear seats versus 627 km and 60:40 split folding in the i5
| 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 | 3 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 rational Malaysian buy, with lower cost, lower road tax and 17 km more claimed range. Choose the Lotus Emeya if its 603 hp, all-wheel drive and 420-kW DC charging are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emeya costs RM90,200 more than the BMW i5. Its annual road tax is also RM1,045 higher.
Which one is easier to use in tight car parks?
The BMW i5 should be easier to place, measuring 1,900 mm wide against the Lotus Emeya’s 2,241 mm. It also has six front parking sensors and auto parking, while the Emeya has four front sensors and no auto parking.