Verdict
The BMW i4 is the more persuasive choice if you can charge regularly: its 70.3 kWh battery is rated for 500 km, its 282 hp and 400 Nm motor reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, and annual road tax is RM305. The Mercedes-Benz GLC answers with SUV space, all-wheel drive and a 620-litre boot, 150 litres more than the i4’s. It also carries seven airbags and a four-year warranty. But the GLC is slower at 7.8 seconds to 100 km/h and costs RM440 a year in road tax.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want 500 km of electric range, quicker 6.0-second acceleration and adaptive cruise control in a lower-slung sedan.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you need a 620-litre boot, all-wheel drive, rear window shades and a four-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM329,888.
- Power and acceleration: BMW i4 has 282 hp and 400 Nm from its motor, reaching 100 km/h in 6.
- Energy storage: BMW i4 has a 70.3 kWh battery and 500 km EV range; Mercedes-Benz GLC has a 62-litre fuel tank.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLC 620 litres.
- Driveline: BMW i4 rear-wheel drive; Mercedes-Benz GLC all-wheel drive.
- Warranty: BMW i4 two years plus an available three-year extended warranty and eight-year/160,000 km battery cover; Mercedes-Benz GLC four years.
i4
- 500 km EV range from a 70.3 kWh battery
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- Adaptive cruise control, head-up display and 14.9-inch display
- 470-litre boot trails the GLC by 150 litres
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is shorter than the GLC’s four years
GLC
- 620-litre boot and all-wheel drive
- Four-year manufacturer warranty and seven airbags
- Rear window shades, heated front seats and 20-inch wheels
- RM35,088 more expensive than the i4
- 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time is 1.8 seconds slower
- RM440 annual road tax is RM135 higher
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM329,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 320 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 205 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 | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 7.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 221 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's 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 on outer two 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 | LED Reflectors |
| 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 with Memory & Heating |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| 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 Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 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 & GLC for sale
i4 vs GLC FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Mercedes-Benz GLC better?
The i4 is better for buyers able to charge and prioritising 500 km EV range, 6.0-second acceleration and lower RM305 road tax. The GLC is better for SUV practicality, all-wheel drive, a 620-litre boot and its four-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC costs RM35,088 more than the BMW i4.
Which has the larger boot?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the larger boot at 620 litres, compared with 470 litres in the BMW i4. That is a 150-litre advantage for the SUV.
