BMW i5 vs Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA
Verdict
The BMW i5 asks RM368,800, only RM4,912 above the RM363,888 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA, but the two do very different jobs. The BMW i5 is the larger executive sedan: 5,060 mm long, a 2,995 mm wheelbase, 490-litre boot and a 627 km electric range from its 83.9 kWh battery. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA is the sharper sprinter, using a 302 hp 1,991 cc turbo petrol-hybrid set-up to do 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and 250 km/h. For Malaysian commuting, space and charging decide it.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if you can charge at home or work and want a bigger five-seat sedan with 627 km EV range, a 490-litre boot and head-up display.
AMG GLA
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA if you want the quicker, smaller SUV, with 5.2-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers.
Key differences
- Powertrain: BMW i5 has a 335 hp/430 Nm electric motor; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA has a 1,991 cc turbo petrol-hybrid with 302 hp/400 Nm plus a 13 hp motor
- Performance: BMW i5 does 0-100 km/h in 6.0 sec and 193 km/h; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA does 5.2 sec and 250 km/h
- Size: BMW i5 is 5,060 mm long with a 2,995 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA is 4,410 mm long with a 2,729 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: BMW i5 has 490 litres; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA has 435 litres
- Energy: BMW i5 has an 83.9 kWh battery, 627 km range, 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC charging; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA has a 43-litre fuel tank
- Warranty: BMW i5 has a 2-year manufacturer warranty plus 8-year/160,000 km EV battery warranty; Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA has a 4-year manufacturer warranty
i5
- 627 km EV range from an 83.9 kWh battery
- Larger footprint and boot: 2,995 mm wheelbase, 490 litres
- Adds fixed panoramic glass roof, head-up display and rear sun shades
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 6.0 sec versus 5.2 sec
- Lower top speed: 193 km/h versus 250 km/h
- Shorter manufacturer vehicle warranty: 2 years versus 4 years
AMG GLA
- Quicker: 0-100 km/h in 5.2 sec and 250 km/h top speed
- All-wheel drive with 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT
- AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers and AMG Dynamic Select
- Smaller boot: 435 litres versus 490 litres
- No listed EV range or DC charging; BMW i5 gets 627 km and 205 kW DC charging
- No head-up display; BMW i5 has one
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 368,800 | RM 363,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbocharger with Mild Hybrid Assistance and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 302 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh✓ | 1 kWh |
| EV Range | 627 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 5.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 1,680 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 43 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 255/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" AMG 5-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | — | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers, AMG Dynamic Select |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Multibeam LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Active 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) | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-Speaker 710W Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 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 | — | Qi Wireless Charger, MBUX Interior Assistant |
| 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 395✓ | RM 436 |
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 AMG GLA FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA better?
The BMW i5 is better for electric range, rear-seat space and boot capacity. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA is better for pace, top speed and all-wheel-drive traction. If charging fits your routine, the BMW i5 is the broader family car.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 and the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA costs RM363,888, so the BMW is RM4,912 more expensive. Road tax goes the other way: RM395 for the BMW and RM436 for the Mercedes.
Which is quicker, the BMW i5 or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA is quicker. It does 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and reaches 250 km/h, while the BMW i5 takes 6.0 seconds and tops out at 193 km/h.