A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
5 Series
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
i4
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
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Spec
5 Series
i4
Model Introduced Year
2023
2021
Generation
G60 executive four-door saloon with combustion powertrains alongside the separately listed electric i5.
Battery-electric G26 Gran Coupé with four doors, a rear liftback and a road-car seating position.
Facelift History
Current G60-generation BMW 5 Series Sedan in South African specification; no separate local body derivative is merged into this model.
Current updated G26-based i4 Gran Coupé range in South Africa; current derivative identity is eDrive35 and M60 xDrive.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Sedan
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Premium Sedan
Premium Sedan
Vehicle Type
Car
Car
Spec
5 Series
i4
Length
5060 mm
4783 mm
Width
1900 mm
1852 mm
Height
1515 mm
1448 mm
Wheelbase
2995 mm
2856 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
140 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
125 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
520 l
470 l
Kerb Weight
1850 kg
2285 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2405 kg
2730 kg
Payload Capacity
630 kg
520 kg
Towing Capacity
2000 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
4 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.6 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
990 mm
994 mm
Rear Headroom
941 mm
944 mm
Front Legroom
1031 mm
1036 mm
Rear Legroom
886 mm
888 mm
Spec
5 Series
i4
Engine
BMW 48V mild-hybrid turbocharged engine
BMW eDrive electric drive
Engine Code
B47
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Diesel Mild Hybrid
Electric
Hybrid System
48V Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1995 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
4
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Applicable
Valves
16
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Common-rail direct injection
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Not Applicable
Bore
82.0 mm
Not Applicable
Stroke
94.6 mm
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
145 kW
442 kW
Maximum Torque
400 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm
795 Nm
Combined Power
1 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
1 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Number of Motors
1
2
Motor Location
Integrated transmission electric motor
Front and rear axles
Drive Type
RWD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
233 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
7.3 sec
3.7 sec
Quarter Mile
15.5 sec
12.2 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
4800 rpm
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
1 kWh
1 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
64.8 kWh
64.8 kWh
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
400 V
400 V
Electric Range
Not Applicable
485 km (BMW stated)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
11 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
130 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
6 h 30 min
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
30 min
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Yes
Spec
5 Series
i4
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
Rear-wheel drive
All-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Yes
Number of Gears
8
1
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Yes
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
RWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
1
Spec
5 Series
i4
Claimed Mileage
16.5 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
13.5 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
18.5 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 l
0 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
1 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
16.5 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
CCS Combo
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
60
0
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
485-544 km (BMW stated)
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
16.3–18.3
Range Real World Highway
360 km
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
420 km
Spec
5 Series
i4
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
AEB
Yes
Yes
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
5 Series
i4
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Yes
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Standard
Yes
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
5 Series
i4
Seat Material
Leather/Sensatec
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Heated Seats
Front
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Steering wheel M Leather
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
Electric with driver memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Yes
Yes
Spec
5 Series
i4
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Standard
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
Comfort Access
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Panoramic
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Electric Tailgate
Standard
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Yes
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Standard
Spec
5 Series
i4
Infotainment System
Yes
Widescreen Display
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Yes
Android Auto
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
12.3
USB Ports
2
2
Infotainment Screen
14.9
14.9
Touchscreen
14.9
14.9
Spec
5 Series
i4
LED Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Yes
Roof Rails
Yes
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Multiple manufacturer colours
Headlights
Standard
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Yes
Spec
5 Series
i4
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
All-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
5 Series
i4
Tyre Size
Runflat tyres
225/50 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Emergency spare wheel
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
19" M Light alloy wheels double-spoke Black Grey with emergency running properti
18" M aerodynamic wheels 858 M Bicolour with MT
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electronic
Spec
5 Series
i4
Front Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Rear Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Adaptive M Suspension
Spec
5 Series
i4
CO2 Emissions
147 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
5 Series
i4
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
Spec
5 Series
i4
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
Private, business and fleet
Price Zar
1278000 ZAR
1750000 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Current recommended retail price
Starting Price
1278000
1750000
Starting Price Zar
1278000
1750000
Spec
5 Series
i4
Warranty
Yes
Yes
In depth: how these cars differ
This 5 Series and i4 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: 5 Series 70 vs i4 100.
Efficiency index: 5 Series 68 vs i4 90.
Safety-equipment index: 5 Series 92 vs i4 92.
Practicality index: 5 Series 66 vs i4 61.
Ownership-cover index: 5 Series not separately scored vs i4 not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
5 Series and i4 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
i4 leads by 12 points
i4 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while 5 Series remains close.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
i4
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
61/100
5 Series
Performance
70/100
Efficiency
68/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
66/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW i4
leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts
vs 74 pts for 5 Series
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, i4 leads. However, 5 Series may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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