Verdict
At RM368,800 versus RM368,690, the BMW i5 costs RM110 more, but its RM395 annual road tax is a fraction of the Denza Z9 GT’s RM9,140. The BMW’s 627-km range and 22-kW AC charging suit buyers who prioritise lower running costs and regular charging. The Denza answers with 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm and a 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time, against 335 hp, 430 Nm and six seconds. Its 495-litre wagon boot, air suspension and richer rear-seat kit make it the more extravagant machine, but the tax bill is hard to ignore.
Pick the BMW i5 if lower annual road tax, 627 km of range and 22-kW AC charging matter more than outright performance and rear-seat luxury.
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if you want 1,140 hp, a 2.7-second 0-100 km/h sprint, wagon practicality and a far more lavish cabin.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Denza Z9 GT RM368,690.
- Annual road tax: BMW i5 RM395; Denza Z9 GT RM9,140.
- Motor output: BMW i5 335 hp and 430 Nm; Denza Z9 GT 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 6.0 seconds; Denza Z9 GT 2.7 seconds.
- Battery and range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh and 627 km; Denza Z9 GT 122.49 kWh and 600 km.
- Charging: BMW i5 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC; Denza Z9 GT 11 kW AC and 1,500 kW DC.
i5
- RM395 annual road tax versus RM9,140.
- Longer 627-km range.
- Faster 22-kW AC charging.
- 335 hp and 430 Nm trail the Denza’s 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm.
- Six airbags versus nine in the Denza.
- No air suspension, ventilated massaging front seats or powered rear seats with leg rests.
Z9 GT
- 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm and 2.7-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- 495-litre five-door wagon boot and 3,125-mm wheelbase.
- Air suspension, nine airbags and powered rear seats with extendable leg rests.
- RM9,140 annual road tax versus RM395 for the BMW.
- 600-km range is 27 km short of the BMW’s 627 km.
- 11-kW AC charging is half the BMW’s 22-kW rate.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800 | RM368,690✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM9,140 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 3 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp | 1,140 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 1,210 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 122.49 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km✓ | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | 1,500 kW✓ |
| V2L | — | 4 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 2.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 240 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,180 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,990 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,490 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,895 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 495 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 225/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 225/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Continental EcoContact 7 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" Y-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear 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 | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation, Memory and Massaging |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Sunroof |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes, e3 Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | All Doors |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear Fridges |
| 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 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage 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 i5 & Z9 GT for sale
i5 vs Z9 GT FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Denza Z9 GT better?
The Denza Z9 GT is the more powerful and better-equipped choice, with 1,140 hp, air suspension and a wagon body. The BMW i5 is the sensible Malaysian buy for its RM395 road tax, 627-km range and 22-kW AC charging.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 and the Denza Z9 GT costs RM368,690, so the Denza is RM110 cheaper. The far bigger ownership-cost difference is annual road tax: RM9,140 for the Denza versus RM395 for the BMW.
Which one charges faster?
The Denza Z9 GT has the higher 1,500-kW DC charging rating against the BMW i5’s 205 kW. The BMW wins on AC charging, at 22 kW versus the Denza’s 11 kW.
