Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 undercuts the BMW X5 by RM176,000 and cuts annual road tax from RM1,637 to RM305, a serious saving if its 500 km EV range and 180 kW DC charging suit your routine. The X5 earns its RM470,800 with a 650-litre boot against 470 litres, all-wheel drive, air suspension and a quicker 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time. It is also 152 mm longer and 152 mm wider. Choose the i4 for lower running charges; choose the X5 when cargo capacity and SUV space matter more.
i4
Pick the BMW i4 if you can charge regularly and want 500 km of EV range, RM305 annual road tax and a RM176,000 lower purchase price.
X5
Pick the BMW X5 if you need all-wheel drive, a 650-litre boot and the extra cabin height of an executive SUV.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BMW X5 RM470,800.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 has one 282 hp/400 Nm motor and a 70.3 kWh battery; BMW X5 has a 2,998 cc inline-six producing 308 hp and 540 Nm.
- Performance: BMW i4 does 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and reaches 190 km/h; BMW X5 does 5.4 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Dimensions: BMW i4 is 4,783 mm long and 1,852 mm wide; BMW X5 is 4,935 mm long and 2,004 mm wide.
- Boot space: BMW i4 has 470 litres; BMW X5 has 650 litres.
- Road tax: BMW i4 RM305 per year; BMW X5 RM1,637 per year.
i4
- RM176,000 less to buy and RM1,332 less annual road tax.
- 70.3 kWh battery, 500 km EV range and 180 kW DC charging.
- 165 kg lighter than the X5.
- 470-litre boot is 180 litres smaller than the X5's.
- Six airbags versus the X5's eight.
- Rear air-conditioning is limited to vents rather than dual-zone control.
X5
- 650-litre boot and all-wheel drive.
- Quicker 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time with 540 Nm.
- Air suspension with adaptive dampers and eight airbags.
- Costs RM176,000 more than the i4.
- Annual road tax is RM1,637, against RM305 for the i4.
- At 2,240 kg, it is 165 kg heavier than the i4.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM470,800 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM1,637 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 308 hp at 5,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 540 Nm at 1,750 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 6 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 94.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 500 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Eight-speed Steptronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | ZF |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 5.4 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,935 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 2,004 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,975 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 2,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 83 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 650 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 275/40R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 315/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 8 (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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
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 i4 & X5 for sale
i4 vs X5 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or BMW X5 better?
The i4 is the better choice for lower upfront and annual road-tax costs, provided its 500 km EV range suits your charging routine. The X5 is better if you need all-wheel drive, a 650-litre boot and SUV dimensions.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X5 costs RM176,000 more than the BMW i4: RM470,800 versus RM294,800.
Which is quicker, the BMW i4 or BMW X5?
The BMW X5 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds versus 6.0 seconds for the BMW i4. Its top speed is also higher at 250 km/h, against 190 km/h.
