Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer who can charge at home or work, the BMW i5 makes a strong case with its 83.9-kWh battery, stated 627-km range and 205-kW DC charging. Its 335-hp motor matches the Toyota Alphard’s 430 Nm while reaching 100 km/h in six seconds. But the Alphard is the proper people carrier: seven seats, middle-row ottoman captain’s chairs and 510 litres of boot space against the i5’s five seats and 490 litres. Choose the BMW for electric commuting and driver-focused hardware; choose the Toyota when carrying six passengers matters more.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want a five-seat executive EV with 627 km of stated range, 205-kW DC charging and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Toyota Alphard if you need seven seats, ottoman middle-row captain’s chairs and power sliding doors for chauffeur or family duty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Toyota Alphard RM548,000.
- Seating: BMW i5 five seats; Toyota Alphard seven seats.
- Powertrain: BMW i5 has one 335-hp, 430-Nm electric motor; Toyota Alphard has a 2,393-cc turbo petrol engine with 274 hp and 430 Nm.
- Range and fuel use: BMW i5 has an 83.9-kWh battery and 627-km stated EV range; Toyota Alphard uses petrol at 9 L/100 km with a 75-litre tank.
- Charging: BMW i5 supports 22-kW AC and 205-kW DC charging; Toyota Alphard has no EV charging provision.
- Boot space: BMW i5 has 490 litres; Toyota Alphard has 510 litres.
i5
- RM179,200 cheaper to buy.
- 627-km stated EV range and 205-kW DC charging.
- 335 hp, 430 Nm and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Five seats versus the Alphard’s seven.
- 490-litre boot is 20 litres smaller.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
Alphard
- Seven seats with ottoman middle-row captain’s chairs.
- Power sliding doors with soft-close function.
- 510-litre boot and five-year manufacturer warranty.
- RM179,200 more expensive.
- 9 L/100 km petrol consumption instead of the i5’s electric drivetrain.
- No auto-parking system, where the i5 has one.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM548,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | MPV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM754 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharger and Intercooler with Dual VVT-i |
| Capacity | — | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 274 hp |
| Torque | — | 430 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 87.5 mm |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Direct Shift 8-speed Automatic with Sequential Shiftmatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Toyota |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,010 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,950 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 3,000 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,235 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 75 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 510 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 225/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 225/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Michelin Primacy SUV+ |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 6 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available on Two Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, TSS Pre-collision Braking (4-120 km/h) with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory, Passenger Side Shoulder Switch |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | Ottoman Captain's Chairs Middle Row, 50:50 Split-folding, 60:40 Split-folding Last Row |
| 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 | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof, Rear |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 2 Front, 1 Console Box, 2 First Row, 2 Second Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades | Powered Rear Sun Shades, Powered Panoramic Roof 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) | 14" Display Audio with Touch Screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, 15-speaker JBL Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Steering Assist and Curve Speed Reduction |
| 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 | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Power sliding with soft close function |
| 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 | 5 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 & Alphard for sale
i5 vs Alphard FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Toyota Alphard better?
The BMW i5 is better for an owner-driver able to charge regularly, with 627 km of stated range and 335 hp. The Toyota Alphard is better for transporting people, thanks to seven seats, ottoman captain’s chairs and power sliding doors.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Alphard costs RM179,200 more than the BMW i5: RM548,000 versus RM368,800.
Can the BMW i5 carry as many people as the Toyota Alphard?
No. The BMW i5 is a five-seat sedan, while the Toyota Alphard is a seven-seat MPV with middle-row ottoman captain’s chairs and a split-folding third row.
