Verdict
At RM1,200,800, the BMW M5 costs RM27,200 less than the RM1,228,000 Lexus LM, yet serves a radically different brief. The M5 brings 591 hp, 750 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time, plus a 22.1-kWh battery rated for 67 km of EV running. The LM counters with seven seats, a 3,000-mm wheelbase and power sliding doors. For a Malaysian owner driving themselves, the M5 is the far sharper machine; for moving family or clients, the LM’s extra two seats matter more than its 188 hp and 236 Nm petrol output.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 591 hp, all-wheel drive and 67 km of stated EV range in a five-seat executive sedan.
Pick the Lexus LM if you need seven seats, power sliding doors and a longer 3,000-mm wheelbase for passenger duty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M5 RM1,200,800; Lexus LM RM1,228,000.
- Power and torque: BMW M5 591 hp and 750 Nm; Lexus LM 188 hp and 236 Nm.
- Seating: BMW M5 five seats; Lexus LM seven seats.
- Driveline: BMW M5 all-wheel drive; Lexus LM front-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase: BMW M5 2,857 mm; Lexus LM 3,000 mm.
- Road tax per year: BMW M5 RM8,408; Lexus LM RM835.
M5
- 591 hp and 750 Nm with all-wheel drive
- 22.1-kWh battery and 67 km EV range
- 466-litre boot and 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Five seats versus the Lexus LM’s seven
- RM8,408 annual road tax versus RM835
- No power sliding doors or rear panoramic roof
LM
- Seven seats and power-folding last row
- Power sliding doors with soft-close and anti-pinch
- 18-way ventilated memory front seats and rear panoramic roof
- 188 hp and 236 Nm versus the M5’s 591 hp and 750 Nm
- Front-wheel drive versus the M5’s all-wheel drive
- 110-litre boot versus the M5’s 466 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,200,800✓ | RM1,228,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM8,408 | RM835✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated, Atkinson cycle with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 4,395 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 591 hp✓ | 188 hp |
| Torque | 750 Nm✓ | 236 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp✓ | 180 hp |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm✓ | 270 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 22.1 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 67 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | M Steptronic | E-CVT |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 5,125 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,955 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 2,510 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres✓ | 110 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R20 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/35R21 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook S1 evo Z | Michelin Primacy SUV+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" M Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Alloys | 19" Multi-spoke Mesh Aluminium Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Adaptive Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for outer two rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 18-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with Power Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Sunroof | — | Rear Panoramic Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 4 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Powered rear sun shade and rear door window shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | Power Sliding with Soft-close Function, One-touch Auto Close, Anti-pinch |
| 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 | 5 years | — |
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 M5 & LM for sale
M5 vs LM FAQ
Is the BMW M5 or Lexus LM better?
The BMW M5 is better for the driver: it has 591 hp, 750 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The Lexus LM is better for carrying people, with seven seats, sliding doors and a 3,000-mm wheelbase.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LM costs RM27,200 more than the BMW M5. The smaller gap does not mean similar roles: the M5 is a five-seat performance sedan, while the LM is a seven-seat MPV.
Which is cheaper to tax each year?
The Lexus LM is much cheaper to tax at RM835 per year, against RM8,408 for the BMW M5. That RM7,573 annual difference is significant for Malaysian ownership costs.