Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 costs RM123,000 more than the RM171,800 BYD Seal. The BMW answers with 180 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging, a 470-litre boot, 5 doors and auto parking, but its 70.3 kWh battery is rated at 500 km. The Seal’s 82.56 kWh pack reaches 570 km, its 308 hp motor cuts 0-100 km/h to 5.9 seconds, and it adds 3.3 kW V2L. For most Malaysian buyers, that is a substantial saving for more range and a six-year warranty; the i4 suits those prioritising charging speed and hatchback practicality.
Pick the BMW i4 if faster 180 kW DC charging, an 11 kW AC charger, a 470-litre five-door boot and auto parking matter more than the RM123,000 price gap.
Pick the BYD Seal if you want 570 km of rated range, 308 hp, V2L and a six-year manufacturer warranty for RM171,800.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BYD Seal RM171,800.
- Battery and range: BMW i4 70.3 kWh and 500 km; BYD Seal 82.56 kWh and 570 km.
- Charging: BMW i4 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC; BYD Seal 7 kW AC and 150 kW DC.
- Motor output and acceleration: BMW i4 282 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; BYD Seal 308 hp, 360 Nm and 5.9 seconds.
- Practicality: BMW i4 has 5 doors and a 470-litre boot; BYD Seal has 4 doors and a 400-litre boot.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW i4 2 years with unlimited mileage; BYD Seal 6 years and 150,000 km.
i4
- 180 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging
- 470-litre boot and five-door body
- Auto parking plus six front and six rear parking sensors
- RM123,000 dearer
- 500 km range trails the Seal’s 570 km
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus six years
Seal
- 570 km rated range from an 82.56 kWh battery
- 308 hp and 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- 3.3 kW V2L, ventilated front seats and panoramic glass roof
- 7 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging trail the i4
- 400-litre boot and four doors are less practical
- No auto parking and fewer parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800 | RM171,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM335 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | 308 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 360 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | 82.56 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 500 km | 570 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW✓ | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW✓ | 150 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,800 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,920 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 2,055 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 400 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 235/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 235/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 19" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Frequency Selective Damping |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee Airbag |
| 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 on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat |
| 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 | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated with Driver's Side Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 2 Wireless Chargers |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Dynaudio HiFi Audio System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | 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✓ | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 6 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit 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 & Seal for sale
i4 vs Seal FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or BYD Seal better?
The BYD Seal is the better buy for most buyers: it is RM123,000 cheaper, has 570 km of rated range, 308 hp and a six-year warranty. Choose the BMW i4 for its faster charging, larger five-door boot and auto parking.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM294,800 and the BYD Seal costs RM171,800, so the BMW is RM123,000 more expensive.
Which car charges faster?
The BMW i4 charges faster on both supplied ratings: 11 kW AC versus 7 kW, and 180 kW DC versus 150 kW for the BYD Seal. The Seal counters with a larger 82.56 kWh battery and a 570 km range rating.
