Verdict
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 to the Volvo XC90's RM418,888, and the RM50,088 gap buys a very different ownership proposition. The i5’s 83.9-kWh battery, 627-km EV range and 205-kW DC charging suit drivers able to charge regularly, while its 6.0-second sprint is 1.7 seconds quicker. The XC90 counters with all-wheel drive, air suspension and seven seats, making it the practical choice for larger families. Its 71-litre fuel tank also removes charging dependence for long inter-state trips.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if you can charge at home or work and want 627 km of electric range, a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and a RM50,088 lower entry price.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive and air suspension more than EV range and charging capability.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Powertrain: BMW i5 has a 335-hp, 430-Nm electric motor; Volvo XC90 has a 249-hp, 350-Nm 1,969-cc turbo petrol engine plus a 14-hp, 40-Nm motor.
- Performance: BMW i5 reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and tops out at 193 km/h; Volvo XC90 does 7.7 seconds and 180 km/h.
- Seating: BMW i5 has 5 seats; Volvo XC90 has 7 seats.
- Boot space: BMW i5 has 490 litres; Volvo XC90 has 451 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW i5 has 2 years; Volvo XC90 has 5 years.
i5
- 627-km EV range from an 83.9-kWh battery
- 205-kW DC charging and 22-kW AC charging
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time with a larger 490-litre boot
- Five seats versus the XC90's seven
- Rear-wheel drive versus the XC90's all-wheel drive
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
XC90
- Seven-seat cabin with 40:20:40 second-row and 50:50 third-row folding
- All-wheel drive and front and rear air suspension
- Ventilated front seats and integrated booster child seats on the outer second-row seats
- RM50,088 higher purchase price
- Slower 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- 451-litre boot is 39 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 249 hp at 5,400 rpm |
| Torque | — | 350 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm✓ | 40 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 627 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 71 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | — |
| 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 | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | Dynamic 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 | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50 |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| 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) | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System |
| 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 Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 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 | ✓ | — |
| 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 Hybrid 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 & XC90 for sale
i5 vs XC90 FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Volvo XC90 better?
The i5 is better for regular charging, lower purchase cost, quicker acceleration and a larger boot. The XC90 is better if seven seats, all-wheel drive and air suspension are non-negotiable.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC90 costs RM50,088 more than the BMW i5.
Which is better for a large family?
The Volvo XC90 is the clear family choice because it has seven seats, including a 50:50-folding third row. The BMW i5 is a five-seat sedan, although its 490-litre boot is larger than the XC90's 451 litres.
