Verdict
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 against the Volvo ES90’s RM339,888, so the RM28,912 gap buys you a little more punch: 335 hp, 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and a 193 km/h top speed. The Volvo answers with the bigger 92.0 kWh battery, longer 651 km range, more airbags and a five-year warranty. For a Malaysian buyer doing long intercity runs, the ES90’s range and warranty matter; for the keener driver, the i5 has the better performance figures.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the quicker rear-drive executive EV and need the larger 490-litre boot.
ES90
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you want more range, a longer warranty and a lower price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Volvo ES90 RM339,888
- Power: BMW i5 335 hp; Volvo ES90 329 hp
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 6.0 s; Volvo ES90 6.6 s
- Battery and range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh/627 km; Volvo ES90 92.0 kWh/651 km
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 L; Volvo ES90 424 L
- Warranty and airbags: BMW i5 2 years/6 airbags; Volvo ES90 5 years/9 airbags
i5
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- Higher 193 km/h top speed
- Larger 490-litre boot
- Costs RM28,912 more
- Shorter 627 km range
- Only 2-year warranty
ES90
- Longer 651 km range
- Bigger 92.0 kWh battery
- 5-year warranty and 9 airbags
- Slower 6.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 424-litre boot
- Lower 180 km/h top speed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800 | RM339,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395 | RM395 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 329 hp |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 480 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 92 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km | 651 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | 350 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,000 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,942 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,546 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 3,102 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,410 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 424 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 255/40R22 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 285/35R22 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Pirelli P Zero E VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 22" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 22" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain, Dual Front Centre Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Power Reclining Seats with Ventilation |
| 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 Glass Roof, Adjustable Opacity |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window 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) | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,650 watt) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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 | 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 i5 & ES90 for sale
i5 vs ES90 FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Volvo ES90 better?
The Volvo ES90 is the better buy on paper for range, warranty and price. The BMW i5 is better if you prioritise acceleration, top speed and boot space.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM28,912 more than the Volvo ES90, at RM368,800 versus RM339,888.
Which has the longer electric range?
The Volvo ES90 has the longer range at 651 km, helped by a 92.0 kWh battery. The BMW i5 is rated at 627 km from an 83.9 kWh battery.
