Verdict
At RM368,800, the BMW i5 is the more fully specified choice: its 83.9-kWh battery, 627-km stated range, 205-kW DC charging and 335-hp/430-Nm rear motor give a Malaysian buyer clear EV planning numbers. It also has a 2,995-mm wheelbase, 45 mm longer than the Lexus ES’s, despite being 80 mm shorter overall. The ES counters with a petrol hybrid/REV powertrain and a larger 5,140 x 1,920 x 1,555 mm body, but its price, output and equipment are yet to be confirmed.
Pick the BMW i5 if you have dependable charging and want 627 km of stated EV range, 205-kW DC charging and a defined RM368,800 price.
Pick the Lexus ES if you prioritise the larger exterior body and prefer its petrol hybrid/REV drivetrain, accepting that its Malaysian price remains TBA.
Key differences
- Length: BMW i5 5,060 mm; Lexus ES 5,140 mm.
- Width: BMW i5 1,900 mm; Lexus ES 1,920 mm.
- Height: BMW i5 1,515 mm; Lexus ES 1,555 mm.
- Wheelbase: BMW i5 2,995 mm; Lexus ES 2,950 mm.
i5
- 83.9-kWh battery with 627-km stated range.
- 205-kW DC and 22-kW AC charging capability.
- 335 hp and 430 Nm from a rear-mounted electric motor.
- 80 mm shorter overall than the Lexus ES.
ES
- Larger body at 5,140 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,555 mm tall.
- Petrol Hybrid/REV powertrain rather than a full battery-electric setup.
- Five-seat executive-sedan layout.
- 45 mm shorter wheelbase than the BMW i5.
- Malaysian price is still TBA against the i5’s RM368,800 figure.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800 | TBA |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395 | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | — |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 627 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | — |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,140 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,950 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | — |
| Doors | 4 | — |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | — |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | — |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | — |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | — |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | — |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | — |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | — |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | — |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | — |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | — |
| Taillamps | LED | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | — |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | — |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | — |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | — |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| 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) | — |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | — |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | — |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | — |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | — |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | — |
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 & ES for sale
i5 vs ES FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Lexus ES better?
The BMW i5 is the clearer buy if you can charge regularly, because its price, 627-km stated range, 335-hp motor and charging rates are defined. Choose the Lexus ES for its larger body and petrol hybrid/REV drivetrain if those matter more.
What is the price difference?
It cannot yet be calculated. The BMW i5 costs RM368,800, while the Lexus ES price is TBA.
Which car is larger?
The Lexus ES is longer, wider and taller at 5,140 x 1,920 x 1,555 mm. The BMW i5 is 5,060 x 1,900 x 1,515 mm, but has the longer 2,995-mm wheelbase versus 2,950 mm.
