BMW i4 vs Jaecoo J5
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
BMW i4 scores higher, 73 vs 72
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 27 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
BMW i4
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$88,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- Sedan
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 210kW
- Energy use
- 16.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 470L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 72, but the Jaecoo J5 is $52,910 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Jaecoo J5
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$35,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 155kW
- Energy use
- 16.5 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP hasn't rated this model
- Boot (seats up)
- 384L
Jaecoo Australia offer: $36,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 30 Nov 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Ends 30 Nov 2026
Manufacturer's terms: while stocks last.
Offer from Jaecoo Australia, checked 11 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the manufacturer prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
$88,900RRP
- with the Jaecoo J5's standard kit: $88,900 (nothing to add)
$35,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW i4 eDrive35
$88,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $388 a week in repayments ($88,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Jaecoo J5 EV Summit
$35,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 2 Sept 2026
$36,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by Jaecoo Australia
About $148 a week in repayments ($36,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Jaecoo J5 starts $52,910 lower on RRP.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$148/wk(≈$641/mo)
Estimate on the Jaecoo J5 at $36,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW i4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Jaecoo J5. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 8 of 10 key systems on the BMW i4 and 7 on the Jaecoo J5.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW i4
- REC-005559 · published 10 Nov 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery may not meet specifications and could discharge or in some instances lead to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-005503 · published 23 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing defect, the high voltage battery does not meet specifications and may result in an electrical short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
Jaecoo J5
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
80.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 180kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 180kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
58.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW i4 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Jaecoo J5 gets a 13.2-inch display and 8.9-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW i4 stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Jaecoo J5. The Jaecoo J5 counters with ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW i4 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Jaecoo J5 offers synthetic leather (pet-friendly).
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW i4 uses a Electric producing 210kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6 seconds.
The Jaecoo J5 responds with a Electric making 155kW and 288Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds.
The BMW i4 has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 155kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW i4 is 4.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 67kWh (BMW i4) vs 58.9kWh (Jaecoo J5), giving WLTP ranges of 527km and 402km. DC fast charging peaks at 180kW (BMW i4) vs 130kW (Jaecoo J5).
Space & Comfort
The BMW i4 measures 4,783mm long on a 2,856mm wheelbase, 403mm longer than the Jaecoo J5 at 4,380mm (2,620mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW i4 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 470L in the BMW i4 and 384L in the Jaecoo J5, giving the BMW i4 a 86L advantage.
For towing, the BMW i4 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,250kg. That 350kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Jaecoo J5's turning circle is 0.3 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW i4 costs about $778 a year (16.2 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Jaecoo J5 about $792 a year (16.5 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $14 a year less for the BMW i4.
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (BMW i4) and 8 years / unlimited km (Jaecoo J5). Capped-price servicing: no data (BMW i4), 8 years (Jaecoo J5).
Where each one leads
The BMW i4: more power (210kW against 155kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (470L against 384L), the higher braked towing limit (1,600kg against 1,250kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($778 a year against $792).
The Jaecoo J5: the lower starting price ($35,990 against $88,900) and the longer warranty (8 years against 5).
The Verdict
BMW i4 scores higher, 73 vs 72
The BMW i4 scores 73 to the Jaecoo J5's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 7 of the 10 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (BMW i4 ahead by 27 points), value (Jaecoo J5 ahead by 21 points), safety (BMW i4 ahead by 15 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BMW i4 costs about $14 less (16.2 kWh/100km against 16.5 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 470L in the BMW i4, 384L in the Jaecoo J5. Warranty: 5 years on the BMW i4, 8 on the Jaecoo J5.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$148/wk(≈$641/mo)
Estimate on the Jaecoo J5 at $36,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW i4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW i4 and Jaecoo J5?
The Jaecoo J5 is the cheapest at $35,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW i4 by $52,910.
Which has the longest driving range?
The BMW i4 has the most range at 430km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The BMW i4 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 180kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW i4 holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP's published ratings include no record for Jaecoo J5, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW i4 has the largest boot at 470L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW i4 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Jaecoo J5 has the longest warranty at 8 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW i4 makes the most power at 210kW. The BMW i4 is quickest to 100km/h in 6s.
Track the BMW i4 & Jaecoo J5
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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