Verdict
At RM368,800, the BMW i5 costs RM16,172 less than the Volkswagen Touareg and cuts annual road tax from RM1,632 to RM395. Its 83.9-kWh battery is rated for 627 km, with 22-kW AC and 205-kW DC charging, while the Touareg relies on a 90-litre petrol tank. Both reach 100 km/h in six seconds, so the decision is not about sprint pace. Choose the i5 for lower annual tax and EV driving; take the Touareg for its 810-litre boot, five doors and all-wheel drive.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if you can charge an EV and want RM395 annual road tax, a 627-km rated range and a lower purchase price.
Touareg
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need an 810-litre boot, five doors, all-wheel drive and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Powertrain: BMW i5 has one 335-hp, 430-Nm electric motor; Volkswagen Touareg has a 2,995-cc 335-hp, 450-Nm petrol engine.
- Energy storage: BMW i5 has an 83.9-kWh battery and 627-km EV range; Volkswagen Touareg has a 90-litre fuel tank.
- Top speed: BMW i5 193 km/h; Volkswagen Touareg 250 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; Volkswagen Touareg 810 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW i5 two years; Volkswagen Touareg five years.
i5
- RM395 annual road tax.
- 627-km rated EV range with 205-kW DC charging.
- Head-up display and auto parking.
- 490-litre boot versus the Touareg's 810 litres.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
- 193-km/h top speed versus 250 km/h.
Touareg
- 810-litre boot and five doors.
- All-wheel drive with air suspension.
- Five-year manufacturer warranty.
- RM16,172 higher purchase price.
- RM1,632 annual road tax versus RM395.
- No head-up display or auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM384,972 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 335 hp |
| Torque | — | 450 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 627 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 90 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 40:20:40 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB 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 | Manual rear window blinds |
| 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" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| 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 | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 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 | — |
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 & Touareg for sale
i5 vs Touareg FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The BMW i5 is the better fit for lower annual road tax, EV range and a lower purchase price. The Volkswagen Touareg is better if 810 litres of boot space, all-wheel drive and a five-year warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM16,172 more than the BMW i5: RM384,972 versus RM368,800.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BMW i5 has lower annual road tax at RM395. The Volkswagen Touareg is RM1,632 per year, a RM1,237 difference.