Verdict
At RM1,200,800, the BMW M5 costs RM12,800 more than the RM1,188,000 Lexus LS, but is the decisively faster car: 0-100 km/h takes 3.5 seconds against 5.0 seconds, backed by 591 hp and 750 Nm versus 415 hp and 600 Nm. Its 22.1-kWh battery also gives a claimed 67 km EV range. The Lexus counters with a 3,125-mm wheelbase, air suspension and far richer rear-seat adjustment, while annual road tax is RM4,275 lower. For an owner-driven sedan, take the M5; for chauffeured comfort, the LS makes more sense.
Pick the BMW M5 if 3.5-second 0-100 km/h pace, all-wheel drive and a 67-km electric driving range matter more than rear-seat luxury.
Pick the Lexus LS if you prioritise its 3,125-mm wheelbase, air suspension, massage-equipped seating and lower RM4,133 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M5 RM1,200,800; Lexus LS RM1,188,000
- Power/torque: BMW M5 591 hp/750 Nm; Lexus LS 415 hp/600 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BMW M5 3.5 seconds; Lexus LS 5.0 seconds
- Driveline: BMW M5 all-wheel drive; Lexus LS rear-wheel drive
- Wheelbase: BMW M5 2,857 mm; Lexus LS 3,125 mm
- Road tax/year: BMW M5 RM8,408; Lexus LS RM4,133
M5
- 591 hp and 750 Nm, with 3.5-second 0-100 km/h pace
- 22.1-kWh PHEV battery with 67 km EV range
- All-wheel drive, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- 2,510 kg is 355 kg heavier than the Lexus LS
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
- Less elaborate rear seating than the Lexus LS
LS
- Long 3,125-mm wheelbase and front/rear air suspension
- 28-way front and 18-way rear seats with heating, ventilation and massage
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- 415 hp and 600 Nm trail the BMW M5's 591 hp and 750 Nm
- 5.0-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.5 seconds slower
- No plug-in hybrid system or electric-only range
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,200,800 | RM1,188,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM8,408 | RM4,133✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 4,395 cc | 3,445 cc |
| Horsepower | 591 hp✓ | 415 hp |
| Torque | 750 Nm✓ | 600 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 85.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.476 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 22.1 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 67 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | M Steptronic | 10-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds✓ | 5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 5,235 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 2,510 kg | 2,155 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 82 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres | 480 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R20 | 245/45RF20 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/35R21 | 245/45RF20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook S1 evo Z | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" M Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | M Adaptive Suspension | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side |
| 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 | 5 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 |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with Auto Brake and Rear Pedestrian Detection with Auto Brake |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 28-way Power Adjustable Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation and Massage |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 18-way Power Adjustable Seats with Centre Armrest, Rear Touchscreen, Heating and Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| 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 | 12.3" Display with Lexus Remote Touch Controller, Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and Pioneer 12-speaker Sound System |
| 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 |
| 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 | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| 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 |
| 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 & LS for sale
M5 vs LS FAQ
Is the BMW M5 or Lexus LS better?
The BMW M5 is better for the driver, with 591 hp, all-wheel drive and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The Lexus LS is better for rear-seat occupants thanks to its longer wheelbase, air suspension and extensively adjustable seats.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM12,800 more than the Lexus LS. Its annual road tax is also RM4,275 higher, at RM8,408 versus RM4,133.
Which car is better for rear passengers?
The Lexus LS is the clear rear-seat choice. It has a 3,125-mm wheelbase, 18-way power-adjustable rear seats, rear touchscreen, heating, ventilation, powered rear and door sunshades, plus air suspension.