Verdict
For Malaysian buyers, the BMW i5 is the rational pick at RM368,800: it is RM280,088 cheaper, yet reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds versus the EQS’s 6.2 seconds and accepts 22 kW AC charging against 11 kW. The Mercedes-Benz EQS justifies its luxury-segment billing with a 107.8 kWh battery, 782 km range and 610-litre boot, versus 83.9 kWh, 627 km and 490 litres for the i5. Its AIRMATIC air suspension and more extensive rear-seat equipment are meaningful, but expensive extras in this comparison.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if RM280,088 saved, a quicker 6.0-second sprint and 22 kW AC charging matter more than maximum range and rear-seat luxury.
EQS
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQS if its 782 km range, 610-litre boot, AIRMATIC air suspension and powered heated/ventilated rear seats justify the higher outlay.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Mercedes-Benz EQS RM648,888.
- Battery and range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh and 627 km; Mercedes-Benz EQS 107.8 kWh and 782 km.
- AC/DC charging: BMW i5 22 kW/205 kW; Mercedes-Benz EQS 11 kW/200 kW.
- Performance: BMW i5 335 hp, 430 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; Mercedes-Benz EQS 328 hp, 565 Nm and 6.2 seconds.
- Size and boot: BMW i5 5,060 mm long with 2,995 mm wheelbase and 490 litres; Mercedes-Benz EQS 5,216 mm, 3,210 mm and 610 litres.
- Warranty: BMW i5 two-year vehicle and eight-year/160,000 km battery cover; Mercedes-Benz EQS four-year vehicle and 10-year/250,000 km battery cover.
i5
- RM280,088 lower purchase price.
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time: 6.0 seconds.
- 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC charging.
- 155 km less stated EV range.
- 490-litre boot is 120 litres smaller.
- No air suspension; the EQS gets AIRMATIC with adaptive damping.
EQS
- 782 km stated EV range from a 107.8 kWh battery.
- 610-litre boot and 3,210 mm wheelbase.
- AIRMATIC air suspension plus powered, heated and ventilated rear seats.
- RM280,088 more expensive.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds.
- 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC charging trail the i5's 22 kW and 205 kW.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM648,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395 | RM395 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 328 hp |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 565 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 107.8 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km | 782 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW✓ | 200.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 6.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,216 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,926 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,512 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 3,210 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,480 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 610 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 265/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 265/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | AIRMATIC with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Rear Seat Belt Bag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side, Driver Attention Monitor with Eye Tracking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| 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 with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | Power-adjustable Rear Seats, Heated and Ventilated, 60:40 Split-folding |
| 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 | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 6 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| 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) | 17.7" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 12.3" OLED Touchscreen for Front Passenger; 11.6" Rear Entertainment Displays; 7" Rear Android Tablet; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear MBUX Interior Assistant, Fingerprint Scanner, Front and Rear Qi Wireless Chargers, Rear Wireless Headsets |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | 10 Years/250,000 km Warranty for Traction 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 & EQS for sale
i5 vs EQS FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Mercedes-Benz EQS better?
The BMW i5 is the better buy for most buyers because it is far cheaper, slightly quicker and charges faster on AC. Choose the Mercedes-Benz EQS only if its 782 km range, larger boot, air suspension and rear-seat specification are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS costs RM648,888, which is RM280,088 more than the BMW i5 at RM368,800.
Which one has the longer range and better charging?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS has the longer stated range at 782 km versus 627 km for the BMW i5. The i5 has faster quoted charging inputs, at 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC versus the EQS’s 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC.