Verdict
At RM384,972, the Volkswagen Touareg undercuts the RM418,888 Volvo XC90 by RM33,916, yet brings 335 hp, 450 Nm and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time against 249 hp, 350 Nm and 7.7 seconds. Its 810-litre boot and 90-litre tank also suit long-distance five-seat use. The XC90 counters with seven seats, a panoramic sunroof and a 14 hp/40 Nm mild-hybrid motor, while annual road tax is RM428 rather than RM1,632. For Malaysian families needing the third row, that practical distinction outweighs the Touareg’s performance and luggage advantage.
Touareg
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if five seats are enough and you want RM33,916 in savings, 335 hp and an 810-litre boot.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, integrated second-row booster seats and far lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Performance: Touareg 335 hp, 450 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; XC90 249 hp, 350 Nm and 7.7 seconds.
- Seating and boot space: Touareg five seats and 810 litres; XC90 seven seats and 451 litres.
- Fuel tank and road tax: Touareg 90 litres and RM1,632 per year; XC90 71 litres and RM428 per year.
- Dimensions: Touareg is 4,878 mm long, 1,984 mm wide and 1,702 mm tall; XC90 is 4,950 mm long, 1,958 mm wide and 1,776 mm tall.
- Hybrid assistance: Touareg has no motor; XC90 has one 14 hp, 40 Nm motor.
Touareg
- 335 hp and 450 Nm, with a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 810-litre boot and 90-litre fuel tank.
- Night vision, HD Matrix LED headlamps and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Five seats versus the XC90's seven.
- RM1,632 annual road tax versus RM428.
- No panoramic sunroof.
XC90
- Seven seats, including 50:50 third-row seating.
- Integrated booster seats for the two outer second-row positions.
- 14 hp/40 Nm mild-hybrid motor with an eight-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty.
- RM33,916 more expensive than the Touareg.
- 249 hp, 350 Nm and 7.7 seconds to 100 km/h versus 335 hp, 450 Nm and 6.0 seconds.
- 451-litre boot and 71-litre tank versus 810 litres and 90 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM384,972✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,632 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,995 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 249 hp |
| Torque | 450 Nm✓ | 350 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 84.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 40 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,878 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,984 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,702 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,984 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 90 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 810 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 285/45R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/45R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Braga Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Braga Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electronic for rear doors | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger 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 |
| Night Vision | Yes | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | HD Matrix LED Headlights | Dynamic LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| 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 System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | — |
| 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 | Manual rear window blinds | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) | 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 & 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 |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 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 Touareg & XC90 for sale
Touareg vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Touareg or Volvo XC90 better?
The Touareg is the better choice for performance, luggage room and purchase price, with 335 hp and an 810-litre boot. Choose the XC90 instead if seven seats are non-negotiable; the Touareg has only five.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC90 costs RM33,916 more than the Volkswagen Touareg: RM418,888 versus RM384,972.
Which SUV costs less to tax each year?
The Volvo XC90 is much cheaper to tax annually at RM428, compared with RM1,632 for the Volkswagen Touareg. That is a RM1,204 yearly difference.
