Verdict
At RM294,800, the BMW i4 costs RM123,000 more than the RM171,800 BYD Seal, yet their 0-100 km/h times are effectively level at 6.0 and 5.9 seconds. The Seal makes stronger day-to-day financial sense with its 82.56-kWh battery, 570-km range, 9 airbags and six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty. The i4 answers with a larger 470-litre boot, 11-kW AC and 180-kW DC charging, plus auto parking. For a Malaysian buyer who can charge regularly, the Seal's extra 70 km of range and V2L are hard to ignore; choose the i4 for its charging and load-space advantages.
The i4 eDrive35 M Sport (RM294,800) sits above every Seal variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BMW i4 if faster 11-kW AC and 180-kW DC charging, a 470-litre boot and auto parking matter more than the RM123,000 price gap.
Pick the BYD Seal if you want 570 km of range, an 82.56-kWh battery, V2L and a six-year vehicle warranty for RM171,800.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; BYD Seal RM171,800.
- Battery and range: BMW i4 70.3 kWh and 500 km; BYD Seal 82.56 kWh and 570 km.
- Charging: BMW i4 11 kW AC/180 kW DC; BYD Seal 7 kW AC/150 kW DC.
- Performance: BMW i4 282 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; BYD Seal 308 hp, 360 Nm and 5.9 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; BYD Seal 400 litres.
- Warranty: BMW i4 two years with unlimited mileage; BYD Seal six years/150,000 km.
i4
- 11-kW AC and 180-kW DC charging
- 470-litre boot and 40:20:40 rear seat split
- Auto parking with six front and six rear sensors
- RM123,000 dearer
- 500-km range is 70 km shorter
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus six years/150,000 km
Seal
- 570-km range from an 82.56-kWh battery
- RM171,800 price and six-year/150,000-km warranty
- 3.3-kW V2L, panoramic glass roof and ventilated front seats
- 7-kW AC and 150-kW DC charging trails the i4
- 400-litre boot is 70 litres smaller
- No auto parking
What the i4 has over the Seal
What the Seal has over the i4
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Seal's wheelbase is 64 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the i4: 470 litres against 400.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800 | RM171,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM335 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,010/mo | RM1,755/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,913 | RM4,715✓ |
| Electricity / year (est.) | RM1,249✓ | RM1,287 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.25✓ | RM6.44 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM47,335 | RM31,683✓ |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 6.4 hours✓ | 11.8 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 25 min✓ | 40 min |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | 308 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 360 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | 82.56 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 500 km | 570 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW✓ | 7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW✓ | 150 kW |
| V2L | — | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,800 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 2,920 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 2,055 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 400 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 235/45R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 235/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 19" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 19" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Frequency Selective Damping |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee Airbag) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2nd Row Seats | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated with Driver's Side Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB, 2 Wireless Chargers |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 12-speaker Dynaudio HiFi Audio System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 Stop and Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used i4 & Seal for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW i4
BYD Seal
i4 vs Seal FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or BYD Seal better?
The BYD Seal is the better buy on price, range and warranty: it costs RM123,000 less, travels 570 km versus 500 km and has a six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty. Choose the BMW i4 for quicker charging, a larger boot and auto parking.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i4 costs RM294,800 and the BYD Seal costs RM171,800, a difference of RM123,000. The Seal also has the larger 82.56-kWh battery and 570-km range.
Which one charges faster?
The BMW i4 charges faster on both quoted inputs, at 11 kW AC and 180 kW DC. The BYD Seal is rated at 7 kW AC and 150 kW DC, but adds 3.3-kW vehicle-to-load capability.
How long does charging take?
The i4's 70.3 kWh battery takes about 6.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 180 kW peak. The Seal's 82.6 kWh battery takes about 11.8 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 40 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 150 kW peak.