Verdict
At RM685,800, the locally assembled BMW 7 Series undercuts the RM1,188,000 imported Lexus LS by RM502,200 and brings plug-in hybrid driving with an 18.7 kWh battery, 87 km EV range and 7.4 kW AC charging. It is also marginally quicker at 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h, larger outside and has a 525-litre boot. The Lexus answers with a far stronger 415 hp/600 Nm V6, 10 airbags, extensive rear-seat adjustment and a five-year warranty, but its RM4,133 annual road tax is almost double the BMW’s RM2,125.
7 Series
Pick the BMW 7 Series if you want the RM502,200 saving, 87 km of EV range, all-wheel drive and more boot space.
LS
Pick the Lexus LS if you prioritise 415 hp, 600 Nm, 10 airbags and its heavily equipped heated, ventilated and massaging seats.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 7 Series RM685,800; Lexus LS RM1,188,000.
- Power and torque: BMW 308 hp and 450 Nm; Lexus 415 hp and 600 Nm.
- Electrified range: BMW has an 18.7 kWh battery and 87 km EV range; Lexus has no battery or EV range.
- Driveline: BMW all-wheel drive; Lexus rear-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 525 litres; Lexus 480 litres.
- Warranty: BMW 2 years plus 3-year extended warranty; Lexus 5 years.
7 Series
- RM502,200 less expensive
- 87 km EV range with 7.4 kW AC charging
- 525-litre boot and all-wheel drive
- 308 hp and 450 Nm trail the Lexus’s 415 hp and 600 Nm
- Seven airbags versus the Lexus’s 10
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
LS
- 415 hp and 600 Nm twin-turbo V6
- 10 airbags plus rear cross traffic auto brake
- 28-way front and 18-way rear seats with heating and ventilation
- Costs RM502,200 more
- RM4,133 annual road tax versus RM2,125
- No plug-in hybrid system or EV range
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM685,800✓ | RM1,188,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Luxury |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,125✓ | RM4,133 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 3,445 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp at 5,000 rpm | 415 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 450 Nm at 1,750 rpm | 600 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | V 6 |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 85.5 mm × 100 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.476 |
| Motor Horsepower | 194 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 18.7 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 87 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Automatic | 10-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds✓ | 5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Co2 | 22 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 5,235 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,155 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 82 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | — | 245/45RF20 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 245/45RF20 |
| Spare Tyre | No | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" M aerodynamic style 907 alloys | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags (2 Front, 2 Side, 2 Curtain, 1 Driver's Knee) | 10 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side) |
| ABS/EBD | — | ✓ |
| Stability Control | — | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | — | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with Auto Brake and Rear Pedestrian Detection with Auto Brake |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | 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 and Bolster Adjustment | 28-way Power Adjustable Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation and Massage |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 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 | Sky Lounge Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x side sunshades, 1x rear sunshade | Powered Rear Sun Shade and Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Live Cockpit Professional system | 12.3" Display with Lexus Remote Touch Controller, Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and Pioneer 12-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | Four 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation 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, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| 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 | 3 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 7 Series & LS for sale
7 Series vs LS FAQ
Is the BMW 7 Series or Lexus LS better?
The BMW 7 Series is the sharper financial choice, with 87 km EV range, all-wheel drive and a larger boot. Choose the Lexus LS for its 415 hp/600 Nm output, 10 airbags and more elaborate seat functions.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LS costs RM502,200 more than the BMW 7 Series.
Can the BMW 7 Series be driven on electric power?
Yes. The BMW 7 Series plug-in hybrid has an 18.7 kWh battery, a quoted 87 km EV range and 7.4 kW AC charging.
