Verdict
At RM714,800, the BMW i7 costs RM24,088 less and cuts annual road tax to RM1,015 versus RM2,128. Its 625-km EV range, 195-kW DC charging, 4.7-second sprint and 525-litre boot make it the stronger long-distance electric proposition, provided charging access is settled. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class answers with a petrol plug-in hybrid drivetrain, a 100-km EV range and unusually serious rear-seat kit, from ventilated massage seats to an ottoman. It is 330 kg lighter, yet needs 5.2 seconds to 100 km/h. Chauffeur-first buyers have a real reason to pay more.
i7
Pick the BMW i7 if you can charge regularly and want 625 km of EV range, faster 195-kW DC charging and a larger 525-litre boot for less money.
S-Class
Pick the Mercedes-Benz S-Class if rear-seat massage, ventilation, an ottoman and a petrol plug-in hybrid backup suit your chauffeur-driven use better.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i7 RM714,800; Mercedes-Benz S-Class RM738,888.
- Annual road tax: BMW i7 RM1,015; Mercedes-Benz S-Class RM2,128.
- EV range: BMW i7 625 km; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 100 km.
- DC charging: BMW i7 195 kW; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 60 kW.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i7 4.7 seconds; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 5.2 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW i7 525 litres; Mercedes-Benz S-Class 350 litres.
i7
- 625-km EV range with 195-kW DC charging.
- Quicker 4.7-second 0-100 km/h time and all-wheel drive.
- RM24,088 cheaper, with a 525-litre boot.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years.
- Less elaborate rear accommodation: no listed rear ventilation, massage, ottoman or leg rest.
- Heavier at 2,715 kg versus 2,385 kg.
S-Class
- Rear outer seats get heating, ventilation, massage and one-touch recline.
- Left rear passenger gets a powered ottoman and massage leg rest.
- Four-year manufacturer warranty and 250-km/h top speed.
- Only 100 km of EV range versus 625 km.
- 60-kW DC charging is far below the i7's 195 kW.
- Costs more, has higher annual road tax and a smaller 350-litre boot.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM714,800✓ | RM738,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,015✓ | RM2,128 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC with Electric Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 362 hp |
| Torque | — | 500 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 536 hp✓ | 147 hp |
| Motor Torque | 745 Nm✓ | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 28.6 kWh |
| EV Range | 625 km✓ | 100 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 195 kW✓ | 60 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-TRONIC |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.7 seconds✓ | 5.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 22 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 5,289 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,954 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,503 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 3,216 mm |
| Weight | 2,715 kg | 2,385 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 67 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/35R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ZP |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-Link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 20" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 20" Twin 10-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension, All-wheel steering | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Rear Passengers, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Left Cushion |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point with Illumination and Rear Belt Bags |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | 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 Projectors with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | LED combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory, Heating and Massage Functions; Pillow Headrests; Passenger Seat Adjustment from Rear Seats |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | Power Adjustable Outer Rear Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation, Massage and One-touch Recline Functions; Folding Rear Pillow Headrests with Built-in Neck Warmers; Powered Ottoman and Leg Rest for Left Seat with Massage Function; Centre Load-through |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Air Balance Perfume System and Ioniser |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 4 Front USB-C, 6 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x Side Shade, 1x Rear Shade | Double Sun Visors, Powered Rear Windscreen and Rear Door Window Sunshades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 11" Rear Entertainment Displays; 7" Rear Android Tablet; 15-speaker Burmester 3D Surround Sound System (710 Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Pop-out Door Handles |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist, Stop and Go and Speed Limit Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Yes | Soft Close Function, All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 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 | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/160,000 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 i7 & S-Class for sale
i7 vs S-Class FAQ
Is the BMW i7 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class better?
The BMW i7 is the better choice for regular EV use, with 625 km of range, 195-kW DC charging and a 525-litre boot. Choose the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for its much richer rear-seat package and petrol plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class costs RM24,088 more than the BMW i7: RM738,888 against RM714,800. Its annual road tax is also RM1,113 higher, at RM2,128 versus RM1,015.
Which is better for a chauffeur-driven owner?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is better for rear passengers. Its outer rear seats add memory, heating, ventilation, massage and one-touch recline, while the left rear seat has a powered ottoman and massage leg rest.