Verdict
The Volvo EX90 is RM70,000 cheaper at RM428,888, yet brings seven seats, 671 hp and 870 Nm from two motors. Its 106 kWh battery delivers a claimed 617 km electric range and 350 kW DC charging, making it the clear choice for buyers committed to EV use. The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM498,888 but its petrol plug-in hybrid layout suits those wanting an 85-litre fuel tank behind its 114 km EV range. It is also faster at the top end, has a 490-litre boot and auto parking, but the EX90 reaches 100 km/h 1.9 seconds sooner.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you need petrol backup beyond its 114 km EV range, a larger 490-litre boot and auto parking.
Pick the Volvo EX90 if you want seven seats, 617 km claimed EV range, 350 kW DC charging and 4.2-second 0-100 km/h pace for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888; Volvo EX90 RM428,888.
- Electric range: Mercedes-Benz GLE 114 km; Volvo EX90 617 km.
- Battery capacity: Mercedes-Benz GLE 31 kWh; Volvo EX90 106 kWh.
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 seconds; Volvo EX90 4.2 seconds.
- Seating: Mercedes-Benz GLE 5 seats; Volvo EX90 7 seats.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz GLE 490 litres; Volvo EX90 310 litres.
GLE
- 490-litre boot is 180 litres larger.
- 85-litre fuel tank adds long-distance flexibility.
- Auto parking and rear window shades.
- RM70,000 more expensive.
- Only five seats versus the EX90's seven.
- 114 km EV range trails the EX90's 617 km.
EX90
- Seven seats with third-row USB-C ports.
- 671 hp and 870 Nm; 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds.
- 350 kW DC charging and a 617 km claimed range.
- 310-litre boot is smaller than the GLE's 490 litres.
- 180 km/h top speed is 30 km/h lower.
- No auto parking or rear window shades.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM498,888 | RM428,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440✓ | RM1,940 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 248 hp at 5,800 rpm | — |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 154 hp | 671 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 440 Nm | 870 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 31 kWh | 106 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 114 km | 617 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | — |
| Gears | 9 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.1 seconds | 4.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,924 mm | 5,037 mm |
| Width | 1,947 mm | 1,964 mm |
| Height | 1,772 mm | 1,747 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,985 mm |
| Weight | 2,685 kg | 2,704 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 85 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 310 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/45R21 | 265/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/40R21 | 295/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Sport EV VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Active Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Active Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 21" 8-spoke Glossy Black Diamond-cut Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 21" 8-spoke Glossy Black Diamond-cut Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) | Active Chassis with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front Center Airbag, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two rear passenger seats | Available on outer rear seats, with Integrated Booster Cushions |
| 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 |
| Safety Notes | — | Roof-mounted LiDAR removed on the CKD model (driver assistance functionality largely unchanged); dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processors |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions | Powered and Ventilated Nappa Leather Seats with Massage |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 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 |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Middle Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,600 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 Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | 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 Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 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 GLE & EX90 for sale
GLE vs EX90 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLE or Volvo EX90 better?
The Volvo EX90 is the stronger buy for an EV household: it is cheaper, has seven seats, 617 km claimed range and far quicker acceleration. Choose the GLE if petrol backup, a 490-litre boot and auto parking matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM70,000 more than the Volvo EX90: RM498,888 against RM428,888.
Which one is better for a large family?
The Volvo EX90 is better for carrying more people, with seven seats, seven three-point seat belts and third-row 50:50 folding seats. The Mercedes-Benz GLE has five seats, though it carries more luggage with all seats occupied.
