Verdict
At RM368,800, the BMW i5 undercuts the RM379,888 Mercedes-Benz EQE by RM11,088 and brings 335 hp, a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time, 205 kW DC charging and a larger 490-litre boot. The EQE answers with a 90.6-kWh battery, 669 km range and lower RM305 annual road tax, against 627 km and RM395 for the i5. Malaysian buyers covering long intercity distances will appreciate the extra 42 km, but the BMW is the sharper practical buy if faster DC charging and luggage room matter more.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the lower purchase price, 335 hp performance, 205 kW DC charging and a 490-litre boot.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQE if you prioritise its 669 km range, 565 Nm torque, rear-wheel steering and four-year vehicle warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Mercedes-Benz EQE RM379,888.
- Motor output: BMW i5 335 hp and 430 Nm; Mercedes-Benz EQE 288 hp and 565 Nm.
- Battery and range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh and 627 km; Mercedes-Benz EQE 90.6 kWh and 669 km.
- DC charging: BMW i5 205 kW; Mercedes-Benz EQE 170 kW.
- Performance: BMW i5 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and 193 km/h; Mercedes-Benz EQE 6.4 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; Mercedes-Benz EQE 430 litres.
i5
- RM11,088 cheaper to buy.
- Faster 205 kW DC charging and 6.0-second sprint.
- 490-litre boot, plus panoramic roof and rear sun shades.
- 42 km less claimed range.
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus four years.
- Six airbags versus nine.
EQE
- 669 km EV range from a 90.6-kWh battery.
- Rear-wheel steering and comfort suspension.
- Four-year vehicle warranty and 10-year/250,000-km battery warranty.
- RM11,088 higher purchase price.
- Slower 170 kW DC charging.
- 430-litre boot is 60 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM379,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395 | RM305✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 288 hp |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 565 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 90.6 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km | 669 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW✓ | 170.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 6.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,946 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,961 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,510 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 3,120 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,355 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 430 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 255/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension, Rear Wheel Steering |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Driver's Knee) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection (up to 130 km/h) and Evasive Steering Assist (up to 108 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Pre-Safe, Pre-Safe Impulse Side |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 60:40 Split-folding |
| 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 4 Front USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 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) | 12.8" OLED Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Augmented Reality Navigation; 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmester 3D Surround Sound System |
| 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 with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | 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 |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | 10-year/250,000-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 & EQE for sale
i5 vs EQE FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Mercedes-Benz EQE better?
The BMW i5 is the better buy for lower cost, stronger 335 hp output, quicker acceleration, faster DC charging and more boot space. Choose the Mercedes-Benz EQE for its 669 km range, 565 Nm torque, rear-wheel steering and longer warranties.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 and the Mercedes-Benz EQE costs RM379,888, so the EQE is RM11,088 more expensive.
Which has the longer EV range and faster charging?
The Mercedes-Benz EQE has the longer claimed range at 669 km versus 627 km for the BMW i5. The i5 charges faster on DC power at 205 kW, compared with 170 kW for the EQE; both accept 22 kW AC charging.
