Verdict
The BMW 3 Series M costs RM388,800 to the Volvo EX90’s RM442,888, a RM54,088 gap that buys a very different brief. The BMW is the quicker car to 100 km/h at 4.4 seconds and its 480-litre boot is larger, while the Volvo brings seven seats, 600 km of EV range and 910 Nm from two motors. For Malaysian family duties, the EX90’s third row, air suspension and RM965 annual road tax make a strong case; the BMW suits drivers wanting a smaller, lighter 1,800-kg performance sedan.
3 Series M
Pick the BMW 3 Series M if you want the quicker 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time, a 480-litre boot and a more compact five-seat sedan for RM54,088 less.
EX90
Pick the Volvo EX90 if you need seven seats, 600 km of electric range, 910 Nm and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series M RM388,800; Volvo EX90 RM442,888.
- Powertrain output: BMW 3 Series M 387 hp and 500 Nm; Volvo EX90 510 hp and 910 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW 3 Series M 4.4 seconds and 250 km/h; Volvo EX90 4.9 seconds and 180 km/h.
- Size and weight: BMW 3 Series M is 4,714 mm long and 1,800 kg; Volvo EX90 is 5,037 mm long and 2,704 kg.
- Seating and boot space: BMW 3 Series M has five seats and 480 litres; Volvo EX90 has seven seats and 310 litres.
- Warranty and road tax: BMW 3 Series M gets two years and RM2,125 yearly road tax; Volvo EX90 gets five years and RM965 yearly road tax.
3 Series M
- Quicker 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 480-litre boot is 170 litres larger.
- 904 kg lighter with a 250 km/h top speed.
- Only five seats versus the EX90’s seven.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
- RM2,125 annual road tax versus RM965.
EX90
- Seven seats with a 50:50 split-folding third row.
- 600 km EV range from a 111-kWh lithium-ion battery.
- Air suspension and 910 Nm from two motors.
- RM54,088 more expensive.
- Slower 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 310-litre boot is 170 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 388,800✓ | RM 442,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 32-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | — |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 387 hp | — |
| Torque | 500 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 510 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 910 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 111 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 250 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.4 seconds✓ | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,714 mm | 5,037 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,964 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,747 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,985 mm |
| Weight | 1,800 kg | 2,704 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | — |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 310 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 265/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 295/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flat | Michelin Pilot Sport EV VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" M Double-spoke style 792 M Bicolour Jet Black | 21" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport Steering, M Sport Differential | Active Chassis with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 for 2 Outer Rear 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 |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function for Driver |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Yes | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Middle Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| 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 | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 16-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive 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 | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Monitor | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| 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 |
| Convenience Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 2,125 | RM 965✓ |
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 3 Series M & EX90 for sale
3 Series M vs EX90 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series M or Volvo EX90 better?
The BMW 3 Series M is better for outright acceleration, lower purchase cost and boot space. The Volvo EX90 is better for seven-seat practicality, electric driving, warranty coverage and lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX90 costs RM54,088 more than the BMW 3 Series M.
Which has the better family accommodation?
The Volvo EX90 does. It has seven seats, a 40:20:40 split-folding second row, a 50:50 third row and integrated booster cushions on the outer second-row seats. The BMW 3 Series M has five seats but a larger 480-litre boot.