Verdict
The BMW i8 Coupe is the rapid, technology-heavy choice: all-wheel drive, a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 55 km of EV range suit short urban runs, while its RM90 annual road tax is far below the Subaru’s RM767. The Subaru BRZ answers with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, 234 hp from its 2.4-litre boxer four, plus a slightly larger 226-litre boot. But the i8 costs RM1,159,555 more. For Malaysian buyers, the BRZ is the rational sports coupe; the BMW’s appeal rests on its PHEV hardware and performance.
The i8 Coupe eDrive (RM1,408,800) sits above every BRZ variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BMW i8 Coupe if you want 4.4-second acceleration, all-wheel drive, 55 km of electric range and active braking under 60 km/h.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want a rear-wheel-drive six-speed manual coupe with a 226-litre boot at a vastly lower entry price.
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.
- Powertrain: BMW i8 Coupe 1.5L plug-in hybrid with two motors and 55 km EV range; Subaru BRZ 2.4L naturally aspirated petrol.
- Driveline/transmission: BMW i8 Coupe all-wheel drive with six-speed automatic; Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Road tax: BMW i8 Coupe RM90 per year; Subaru BRZ RM767 per year.
- Boot space: BMW i8 Coupe 200 litres; Subaru BRZ 226 litres.
i8 Coupe
- 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 250 km/h top speed.
- 55 km EV range from an 11.6-kWh battery.
- Adaptive LED headlights, surround-view camera and autonomous braking under 60 km/h.
- RM1,159,555 dearer than the Subaru BRZ.
- Heavier at 1,485 kg versus 1,289 kg.
- 200-litre boot is 26 litres smaller than the BRZ’s.
BRZ
- Six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.
- 226-litre boot is larger than the BMW’s 200 litres.
- Seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
- 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time trails the BMW’s 4.4 seconds.
- RM767 annual road tax is RM677 higher than the BMW’s.
- No EV range, all-wheel drive or autonomous braking system.
What the i8 Coupe has over the BRZ
What the BRZ has over the i8 Coupe
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The i8 Coupe's wheelbase is 225 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The i8 Coupe is 167 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| 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 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM14,380/mo | RM2,545/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM36,908 | RM6,827✓ |
| Fuel / year (est.) | RM3,423 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM17.11 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM202,106 | — |
| 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 at 5,800 rpm | 234 hp at 7,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm at 3,700 rpm✓ | 250 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 94 mm × 86 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 | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used i8 Coupe & BRZ for sale
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i8 Coupe vs BRZ FAQ
Is the BMW i8 Coupe or Subaru BRZ better?
The BMW i8 Coupe is better for outright pace, all-wheel-drive traction, EV running and driver-assistance hardware. The Subaru BRZ is the better buy if a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive and a far lower purchase cost matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i8 Coupe costs RM1,408,800 and the Subaru BRZ costs RM249,245, a difference of RM1,159,555.
Which has lower running tax and more luggage space?
The BMW i8 Coupe has lower annual road tax at RM90 versus RM767 for the Subaru BRZ. The BRZ carries more luggage, with a 226-litre boot against the BMW’s 200 litres.