Verdict
At RM714,800, the BMW i7 undercuts the RM1,188,000 Lexus LS by RM473,200, while its annual road tax is RM1,015 against RM4,133. The BMW’s two motors produce 536 hp and 745 Nm, enough for 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds; the LS manages 415 hp, 600 Nm and 5.0 seconds. Its 625 km EV range and 195 kW DC charging suit buyers with reliable charging access. The Lexus counters with far richer seat adjustment and a five-year warranty, but it is the costlier, smaller petrol sedan.
Pick the BMW i7 if you have charging access and want 625 km of EV range, quicker 4.7-second performance and a RM473,200 saving.
Pick the Lexus LS if 28-way front seats with massage, 18-way heated and ventilated rear seats, and a five-year warranty matter more than purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i7 RM714,800; Lexus LS RM1,188,000.
- Road tax per year: BMW i7 RM1,015; Lexus LS RM4,133.
- Power and torque: BMW i7 536 hp and 745 Nm; Lexus LS 415 hp and 600 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i7 4.7 seconds; Lexus LS 5.0 seconds.
- Length and wheelbase: BMW i7 5,391 mm and 3,215 mm; Lexus LS 5,235 mm and 3,125 mm.
- Boot space: BMW i7 525 litres; Lexus LS 480 litres.
i7
- 625 km EV range with 195 kW DC charging
- 536 hp, 745 Nm and all-wheel drive
- Larger 525-litre boot and longer 3,215 mm wheelbase
- 2,715 kg kerb weight versus the Lexus LS's 2,155 kg
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
- Front seats lack the Lexus LS's heating, ventilation and massage
LS
- 28-way front seats with heating, ventilation and massage
- 18-way rear seats with heating, ventilation and rear touchscreen
- Five-year manufacturer warranty and 10 airbags
- RM473,200 higher purchase price
- Slower 5.0-second 0-100 km/h time and lower 415 hp output
- Smaller 480-litre boot and shorter 3,125 mm wheelbase
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM714,800✓ | RM1,188,000 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Luxury | Luxury |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,015✓ | RM4,133 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 24-valve DOHC, twin-turbocharged with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 3,445 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 415 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 600 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | V 6 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 85.5 mm × 100 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.476 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 536 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 745 Nm | — |
| EV Range | 625 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 195 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 10-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | — | 10 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.7 seconds✓ | 5 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 9.5 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,391 mm | 5,235 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,900 mm |
| Height | 1,544 mm | 1,450 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,215 mm | 3,125 mm |
| Weight | 2,715 kg | 2,155 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 82 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 480 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/45RF20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 245/45RF20 |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 20" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" M Aerodynamic style 909 M alloy wheels | 20" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Air Suspension, All-wheel steering | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 Airbags | 10 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | — | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with Auto Brake and Rear Pedestrian Detection with Auto Brake |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 28-way Power Adjustable Seats with Memory, Heating, Ventilation and Massage |
| Rear Seats | Power Adjustable Rear Seats with Power Adjustments | 18-way Power Adjustable Seats with Centre Armrest, Rear Touchscreen, Heating and Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Sunroof | Sky Lounge Panoramic Glass Roof | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | — | 1 Front, 2 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (15 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 4 | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | 2x Side Shade, 1x Rear Shade | Powered Rear Sun Shade and Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 12.3" Display with Lexus Remote Touch Controller, Navigation, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and Pioneer 12-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | 4 | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Yes | Soft close function, all doors |
| 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 i7 & LS for sale
i7 vs LS FAQ
Is the BMW i7 or Lexus LS better?
The BMW i7 is the better pick for lower ownership tax, quicker acceleration, more power and a larger boot. Choose the Lexus LS only if its much more extensive seat comfort equipment and five-year warranty are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus LS costs RM473,200 more than the BMW i7. Its annual road tax is also RM3,118 higher.
Which one is better for rear-seat comfort?
The Lexus LS has the stronger rear-seat specification: 18-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, a centre armrest and rear touchscreen. The BMW i7 has power-adjustable rear seats, but those functions are not specified.
