Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 costs RM123,000 more than the RM171,800 BYD Seal. The Seal makes the stronger Malaysian ownership case with 570 km of range from an 82.56-kWh battery, 308 hp, a six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty and 3.3-kW V2L. The i4 counters with a larger 470-litre boot, 11-kW AC and 180-kW DC charging, plus auto parking. Its 400 Nm also beats the Seal’s 360 Nm, though the 0-100 km/h gap is only 0.1 second. Pick the BMW only if those practical and charging advantages matter more than the substantial saving.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want the 470-litre boot, quicker 11-kW AC and 180-kW DC charging, and auto parking.
Pick the BYD Seal if you want 570 km of range, V2L, a longer vehicle warranty and RM123,000 left in your pocket.
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.
- Motor output: BMW i4 282 hp and 400 Nm; BYD Seal 308 hp and 360 Nm.
- Charging: BMW i4 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC; BYD Seal 7 kW AC and 150 kW DC.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; BYD Seal 400 litres.
- Warranty: BMW i4 two years unlimited mileage; BYD Seal six years or 150,000 km.
i4
- 470-litre boot is 70 litres larger.
- 11-kW AC and 180-kW DC charging rates.
- Auto parking and 12 parking sensors.
- RM123,000 more expensive.
- 500-km range trails the Seal by 70 km.
- No V2L, panoramic glass roof or ventilated front seats.
Seal
- 570-km range from an 82.56-kWh battery.
- 3.3-kW V2L and a panoramic glass roof.
- Six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty.
- 7-kW AC and 150-kW DC charging are slower.
- 400-litre boot is 70 litres smaller.
- No auto parking.
| 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 | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| 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 | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 9 (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 | 3 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 Malaysian buyers: it is far cheaper, goes 70 km farther and has a longer vehicle warranty. Choose the BMW i4 for its larger boot, faster AC/DC charging and auto parking.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM123,000 more than the BYD Seal.
Which EV charges faster?
The BMW i4 charges faster on both quoted inputs, at 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC. The BYD Seal is rated at 7 kW AC and 150 kW DC.
