BMW i5 vs Lotus Emeya
Verdict
At RM368,800 versus RM459,000, the BMW i5 is the calmer buy for Malaysia: it costs RM90,200 less, has the longer quoted range at 627 km and pays far lower road tax at RM395 a year. The Lotus Emeya is the harder-hitting EV, with dual motors, AWD, 603 hp and a 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time. But its 610 km range is slightly shorter despite a 102.0 kWh battery, so the extra money mainly buys speed, grip, size and a five-year warranty.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the longer quoted range, lower yearly road tax and a much lower entry price.
Pick the Lotus Emeya if you want dual-motor AWD performance, much more power and a longer vehicle warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Lotus Emeya RM459,000
- Power: BMW i5 335 hp; Lotus Emeya 603 hp
- Drivetrain: BMW i5 single-motor RWD; Lotus Emeya dual-motor AWD
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 6.0 seconds; Lotus Emeya 4.2 seconds
- Battery and range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh, 627 km; Lotus Emeya 102.0 kWh, 610 km
- Road tax: BMW i5 RM395 a year; Lotus Emeya RM1,440 a year
i5
- RM90,200 cheaper to buy
- Longer quoted EV range at 627 km
- Much lower annual road tax
- Slower 0-100 km/h time at 6.0 seconds
- Two-year warranty versus five years
- Six airbags versus eight
Emeya
- 603 hp from dual motors
- AWD and 4.2-second 0-100 km/h
- Five-year warranty
- RM90,200 dearer to buy
- Higher annual road tax at RM1,440
- Shorter quoted range despite the larger battery
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 368,800✓ | RM 459,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Grand Tourer |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp | 603 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 710 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 102 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km✓ | 610 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | CCS |
| 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) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| 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 |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| 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 |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 395✓ | RM 1,440 |
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 vs Emeya FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Lotus Emeya better?
The BMW i5 is the better value pick, with 627 km range, lower road tax and a RM90,200 lower price. The Lotus Emeya is better if performance matters more, with 603 hp, AWD and a 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Lotus Emeya costs RM90,200 more than the BMW i5, based on RM459,000 versus RM368,800.
Which one has the longer EV range?
The BMW i5 has the longer quoted range at 627 km. The Lotus Emeya is close at 610 km, but it uses a larger 102.0 kWh battery compared with the BMW’s 83.9 kWh pack.