Verdict
The BMW i4 is the more rational Malaysian buy at RM294,800, undercutting the Volkswagen Touareg by RM90,172 while cutting annual road tax from RM1,632 to RM305. Its 70.3-kWh battery, 500-km stated range and 180-kW DC charging suit buyers able to charge regularly, and it still matches the Touareg’s 0-100 km/h time of six seconds. The Touareg justifies its extra outlay with a far roomier 810-litre boot, all-wheel drive, air suspension, 335 hp and a five-year warranty. Choose based on space and petrol flexibility, not straight-line pace.
Pick the BMW i4 if lower RM305 annual road tax, a 500-km stated EV range and RM90,172 lower purchase price matter more than SUV space.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need its 810-litre boot, all-wheel drive, air suspension and five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Annual road tax: BMW i4 RM305; Volkswagen Touareg RM1,632.
- Powertrain: BMW i4 has one 282-hp, 400-Nm motor and 70.3-kWh battery; Volkswagen Touareg has a 335-hp, 450-Nm 2,995-cc V6.
- Driveline: BMW i4 rear-wheel drive; Volkswagen Touareg all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; Volkswagen Touareg 810 litres.
- Warranty: BMW i4 two years plus eight-year/160,000-km battery cover; Volkswagen Touareg five years.
i4
- RM90,172 cheaper to buy
- RM305 annual road tax
- 500-km stated range and 180-kW DC charging
- 470-litre boot versus the Touareg’s 810 litres
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
Touareg
- 810-litre boot
- All-wheel drive with air suspension
- Five-year manufacturer warranty
- RM90,172 higher purchase price
- RM1,632 annual road tax versus RM305
- No head-up display or auto parking, both fitted to the i4
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM384,972 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | — | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 335 hp at 5,300 rpm |
| Torque | — | 450 Nm at 1,340 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | V 6 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 84.5 mm × 89 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 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 | — | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| 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, 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 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 & Touareg for sale
i4 vs Touareg FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The BMW i4 is better for lower purchase and road-tax costs, with a 500-km stated range and the same six-second 0-100 km/h time. The Volkswagen Touareg is better for luggage space, all-wheel drive, air suspension and its five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM90,172 more than the BMW i4.
Which has the bigger boot, BMW i4 or Volkswagen Touareg?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the bigger boot at 810 litres, 340 litres more than the BMW i4’s 470 litres.
