Verdict
At RM1,200,800, the BMW M5 costs RM652,800 more than the RM548,000 Toyota Alphard, and its 591 hp, 750 Nm plug-in hybrid powertrain, all-wheel drive and 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time put it in another performance class. Its 67 km EV range can also cover short electric trips. But the Alphard is the more rational Malaysian luxury carrier: seven seats, a 510-litre boot, powered sliding doors and a five-year warranty against the M5’s five seats, 466 litres and two-year cover. Its RM754 annual road tax also undercuts the M5’s RM8,408 sharply.
Pick the BMW M5 if you want 591 hp, all-wheel drive and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint in a five-seat executive sedan.
Pick the Toyota Alphard if you need seven seats, powered sliding doors, a larger 510-litre boot and far lower ownership entry costs.
Key differences
- Price: BMW M5 RM1,200,800; Toyota Alphard RM548,000.
- Power and torque: BMW M5 591 hp and 750 Nm; Toyota Alphard 274 hp and 430 Nm.
- Seats and boot: BMW M5 five seats and 466 litres; Toyota Alphard seven seats and 510 litres.
- Driveline and top speed: BMW M5 all-wheel drive and 250 km/h; Toyota Alphard front-wheel drive and 180 km/h.
- Warranty and annual road tax: BMW M5 two years and RM8,408; Toyota Alphard five years and RM754.
M5
- 591 hp and 750 Nm with all-wheel drive
- 3.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint and 250 km/h top speed
- 22.1 kWh battery with 67 km EV range
- RM652,800 more expensive
- Five seats and 466-litre boot versus seven seats and 510 litres
- Two-year warranty versus five years
Alphard
- Seven seats with ottoman middle-row captain’s chairs
- 510-litre boot and powered sliding doors with soft close
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and RM754 annual road tax
- 274 hp and 430 Nm trail the M5’s 591 hp and 750 Nm
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- No auto parking, where the M5 has it
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM1,200,800 | RM548,000✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM8,408 | RM754✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC with Twin Turbochargers, Direct Injection, Variable Valve Timing and Lift, plug-in hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharger and Intercooler with Dual VVT-i |
| Capacity | 4,395 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 591 hp✓ | 274 hp |
| Torque | 750 Nm✓ | 430 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 87.5 mm |
| 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 | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 3.5 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,096 mm | 5,010 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,510 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 2,510 kg | 2,235 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 75 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 466 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R20 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/35R21 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| 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 Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 20" M Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| 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, 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 | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for outer two rear passenger seats | Available on Two Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory, Passenger Side Shoulder Switch |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Ottoman Captain's Chairs Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding, 60:40 Split-folding Last Row |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof, Rear |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Rear | 2 Front, 1 Console Box, 2 First Row, 2 Second Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 15-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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, Steering Assist and Curve Speed Reduction |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | Power sliding with soft close function |
| 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 & Alphard for sale
M5 vs Alphard FAQ
Is the BMW M5 or Toyota Alphard better?
The BMW M5 is better for outright pace, with 591 hp, all-wheel drive and a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time. The Toyota Alphard is better for carrying people, offering seven seats, powered sliding doors and a larger 510-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW M5 costs RM652,800 more than the Toyota Alphard.
Which has the better warranty and passenger capacity?
The Toyota Alphard has the stronger ownership and passenger package: a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and seven seats. The BMW M5 has a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty and five seats.