Verdict
The BMW i8 Coupe is a radically quicker, more technical proposition: 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h, all-wheel drive and a 55 km EV range from its 11.6 kWh battery. Its RM1,408,800 price, however, is RM1,159,555 above the Subaru BRZ’s RM249,245. The BRZ gives up pace at 6.3 seconds and has rear-wheel drive, but it is 196 kg lighter and carries a larger 226-litre boot. For most Malaysian buyers, the Subaru’s huge saving and manual gearbox make more sense; the i8 is for those specifically chasing PHEV capability and performance.
Pick the BMW i8 Coupe if you want 4.4-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and 55 km of electric driving range.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want a 1,289 kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual for RM1,159,555 less.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i8 Coupe RM1,408,800; Subaru BRZ RM249,245
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i8 Coupe 4.4 seconds; Subaru BRZ 6.3 seconds
- Driveline: BMW i8 Coupe all-wheel drive; Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive
- EV range: BMW i8 Coupe 55 km; Subaru BRZ no EV range
- Kerb weight: BMW i8 Coupe 1,485 kg; Subaru BRZ 1,289 kg
- Boot space: BMW i8 Coupe 200 litres; Subaru BRZ 226 litres
i8 Coupe
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time
- 55 km EV range from an 11.6 kWh battery
- Adaptive suspension, surround-view camera and head-up display
- RM1,159,555 dearer
- 196 kg heavier
- Smaller 200-litre boot
BRZ
- Six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive
- 196 kg lighter at 1,289 kg
- 226-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Slower 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- No electric-only range
- No autonomous braking or collision warning
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,408,800 | RM249,245✓ |
| Body type | Coupe | Coupe |
| Segment | Sports Car | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM90✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve, DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 231 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5 | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 143 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 11.6 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 55 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 3.7 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed Steptronic Sport Automatic Transmission | — |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 1.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 226 km/h |
| Co2 | 42 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,689 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,942 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,298 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,485 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 32 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 200 litres | 226 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/45R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Radial Spoke Style 516 Jet Black Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Radial Spoke Style 516 Jet Black Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Dynamic Damper Control (adaptive suspension) | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Rear Passenger Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, light braking (under 60 km/h) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Two Seats | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 8.8" BMW Navigation System Professional with Touchscreen, iDrive Touch Controller and 16-speaker 600W Harman Kardon Sound System | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 5-year/100,000 km free scheduled maintenance | — |
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 i8 Coupe & BRZ for sale
i8 Coupe vs BRZ FAQ
Is the BMW i8 Coupe or Subaru BRZ better?
The BMW i8 Coupe is better for outright acceleration, all-wheel-drive traction and 55 km electric range. The Subaru BRZ is the more rational choice, costing far less while bringing a lighter rear-wheel-drive chassis and six-speed manual gearbox.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i8 Coupe costs RM1,408,800 and the Subaru BRZ costs RM249,245, so the gap is RM1,159,555. Annual road tax is RM90 for the i8 Coupe and RM767 for the BRZ.
Which car has more practical luggage space?
The Subaru BRZ has the larger boot at 226 litres, against 200 litres in the BMW i8 Coupe. The BRZ also has 60:40 split-folding rear seats, while the i8 Coupe is listed with two rear seats.