Verdict
At RM368,800, the BMW i5 costs RM28,912 more than the RM339,888 Volvo ES90, but it is 0.6 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and carries 66 litres more luggage. The Volvo counters with 662 km range versus 627 km, plus 350 kW DC charging and a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty. Both are Malaysian-assembled rear-drive executive sedans with RM395 annual road tax. For a Malaysian buyer, the ES90’s lower entry cost, longer range and faster DC ceiling are substantial; choose the i5 for pace, 22 kW AC charging and boot space.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time, 22 kW AC charging and a 490-litre boot.
ES90
Pick the Volvo ES90 if lower purchase cost, 662 km range, 350 kW DC charging and a five-year vehicle warranty matter more.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Volvo ES90 RM339,888.
- Motor output and acceleration: BMW i5 335 hp, 430 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; Volvo ES90 329 hp, 480 Nm and 6.6 seconds.
- Battery and range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh and 627 km; Volvo ES90 92 kWh and 662 km.
- Charging: BMW i5 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC; Volvo ES90 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC.
- Luggage and doors: BMW i5 490 litres and four doors; Volvo ES90 424 litres and five doors.
- Safety and warranty: BMW i5 six airbags and two-year unlimited-mileage warranty; Volvo ES90 nine airbags and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
i5
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- 22 kW AC charging capability
- Larger 490-litre boot and standard auto parking
- Costs RM28,912 more
- Shorter 627 km range and lower 205 kW DC charging rate
- Two-year vehicle warranty versus five years
ES90
- Lower purchase price with 662 km range
- 350 kW DC charging and 800V architecture
- Nine airbags, active air suspension and five-year vehicle warranty
- Slower 6.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 424-litre boot
- 11 kW AC charging rate versus 22 kW
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800 | RM339,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395 | RM395 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| 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 | 662 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 | 245/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 275/40R21 |
| 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 | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 9 (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 Nappa Leather Front Seats with Ventilation (Charcoal or Cardamom, Birch Wood Decor) |
| 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 Wireless 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 | 3 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 for range, DC charging, warranty and lower cost. The BMW i5 is the better choice if quicker acceleration, 22 kW AC charging, auto parking and a larger boot are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM28,912 more than the Volvo ES90.
Which is better for AC charging?
The BMW i5 has the advantage for AC charging at 22 kW, double the Volvo ES90’s 11 kW rating. The ES90 instead leads on DC charging, at 350 kW against 205 kW.
