Verdict
At RM248,888, the Volvo EC40 costs RM20,000 less than the RM268,888 Volvo XC40 and cuts annual road tax from RM428 to RM220. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge at home or on the road, its 70 kWh battery, 488 km EV range and 200 kW DC charging make the stronger case. The XC40 is 0.9 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, has a 460-litre boot and 76 mm more height, so it suits buyers who put luggage room and a more upright cabin ahead of EV running.
EC40
Pick the Volvo EC40 if you want the lower purchase price, RM220 annual road tax and a 488 km electric range.
XC40
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you need the quicker 6.4-second sprint, 460-litre boot and taller 1,658 mm body.
Key differences
- Price: Volvo EC40 RM248,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Annual road tax: Volvo EC40 RM220; Volvo XC40 RM428.
- Powertrain: Volvo EC40 has one 235 hp, 420 Nm motor and a 70 kWh battery; Volvo XC40 has a 1,969 cc 263 hp, 390 Nm inline-four petrol hybrid powertrain.
- 0-100 km/h: Volvo EC40 7.3 seconds; Volvo XC40 6.4 seconds.
- Boot space: Volvo EC40 413 litres; Volvo XC40 460 litres.
- Height: Volvo EC40 1,582 mm; Volvo XC40 1,658 mm.
EC40
- RM20,000 lower purchase price and RM208 lower annual road tax.
- 70 kWh battery with 488 km EV range.
- 200 kW DC charging, fixed glass roof and 360-degree camera.
- 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time trails the XC40's 6.4 seconds.
- 413-litre boot is 47 litres smaller.
- Tyre repair kit instead of the XC40's space-saver spare.
XC40
- Quicker 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 460-litre boot and 1,658 mm height.
- Driver's memory function and a space-saver spare tyre.
- RM20,000 more expensive, with RM428 annual road tax versus RM220.
- LED reflector headlamps versus the EC40's LED projectors with auto high beam.
- No fixed glass roof and a reverse camera rather than the EC40's 360-degree camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM248,888✓ | RM268,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 263 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 390 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 235 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 420 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 70 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 488 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 200 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Volvo | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,440 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,873 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,582 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,702 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 2,185 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 413 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 VOL | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Sports Chassis | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear 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 | Electronic for Rear Doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Fixed Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1x 12V in front, 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9" Portrait Android Automotive OS Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) | Keyless Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | No | — |
| 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 Battery Warranty | 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 EC40 & XC40 for sale
EC40 vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Volvo EC40 or Volvo XC40 better?
The EC40 is the better choice for electric driving, lower annual road tax and a lower entry price. Choose the XC40 if its quicker 6.4-second acceleration, 47 litres of extra boot space and taller body matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC40 costs RM20,000 more than the Volvo EC40. Annual road tax is also RM208 higher for the XC40: RM428 against RM220.
Which Volvo is quicker?
The Volvo XC40 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. The Volvo EC40 takes 7.3 seconds, a 0.9-second deficit.
