Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is RM14,740 cheaper and makes the stronger practical case with a 480-litre boot, 40:20:40 rear backrest and 1,590 kg kerb weight. Its 184 hp and 300 Nm mean 0-100 km/h takes 7.4 seconds, though. The Volvo S60 counters hard: its plug-in hybrid system produces 320 hp and 400 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, drives all four wheels and can cover 49 km electrically from an 11.6 kWh battery. For Malaysian buyers able to charge regularly, that performance and EV running capability justify serious consideration; the BMW is the simpler, roomier load-carrier.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the lower entry price, a 480-litre boot, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and unlimited warranty mileage.
Pick the Volvo S60 if you can charge a plug-in hybrid and want 320 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Volvo S60 RM282,540.
- Power and torque: BMW 3 Series 184 hp and 300 Nm; Volvo S60 320 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; Volvo S60 4.4 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; Volvo S60 all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Volvo S60 442 litres.
- Kerb weight: BMW 3 Series 1,590 kg; Volvo S60 2,041 kg.
3 Series
- RM14,740 lower purchase price
- 480-litre boot with 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
- Unlimited warranty mileage
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the S60's 320 hp and 400 Nm
- 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.0 seconds slower
- No plug-in hybrid motor, battery or electric driving range
S60
- 320 hp, 400 Nm and 4.4-second 0-100 km/h performance
- 11.6 kWh plug-in hybrid battery with 49 km EV range
- All-wheel drive, active cruise control and 360-degree camera
- Costs RM14,740 more
- 442-litre boot is 38 litres smaller
- 2,041 kg kerb weight is 451 kg heavier
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM282,540 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379 | RM365✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 320 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 87 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 240 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 11.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 49 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 4.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 46 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,041 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 442 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Five Triple-spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" Five Triple-spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on outer rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 9" Sensus Connect with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Harman Kardon Premium Sound with 14 Speakers (600 W) |
| 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 with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | Park Assist Pilot with Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| 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✓ | 120,000 km |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
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 & S60 for sale
3 Series vs S60 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Volvo S60 better?
The Volvo S60 is better for outright pace and plug-in hybrid driving, with 320 hp, 400 Nm and 49 km EV range. The BMW 3 Series suits buyers prioritising a lower purchase price, a larger 480-litre boot and unlimited warranty mileage.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo S60 costs RM14,740 more than the BMW 3 Series: RM282,540 against RM267,800.
Can the Volvo S60 be driven on electric power alone?
Yes. The S60 has one 87 hp, 240 Nm electric motor, an 11.6 kWh battery and a quoted EV range of 49 km. Its AC charging rate is 3.7 kW.