Verdict
The RM19,110 separates two very different compact executives. The BMW 3 Series is the lighter 1,590-kg rear-wheel-drive sedan, with a 235-km/h top speed and 480-litre boot. The Volvo V60 costs more, but brings 316 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time against the BMW’s 184 hp, 300 Nm and 7.4 seconds. For Malaysian buyers able to charge at home or work, its 11.6-kWh battery supplies up to 49 km of EV range; its 529-litre wagon boot is useful too.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the lower purchase price, rear-wheel drive, a 235-km/h top speed and BMW’s 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.
Pick the Volvo V60 if you need a plug-in hybrid with 49 km of EV range, much stronger 316-hp performance, all-wheel drive and wagon practicality.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Volvo V60 RM286,910.
- Power and torque: BMW 184 hp and 300 Nm; Volvo 316 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 7.4 seconds; Volvo 4.6 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW rear-wheel drive; Volvo all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 480 litres; Volvo 529 litres.
- Weight: BMW 1,590 kg; Volvo 2,041 kg.
3 Series
- RM19,110 cheaper to buy.
- 451 kg lighter than the V60.
- 235-km/h top speed versus 180 km/h.
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the V60’s 316 hp and 400 Nm.
- No electric motor, battery or EV driving range.
- 480-litre boot is 49 litres smaller.
V60
- 316 hp, 400 Nm and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 11.6-kWh battery provides up to 49 km of EV range.
- 529-litre wagon boot and powered contactless boot operation.
- RM19,110 more expensive.
- 2,041 kg kerb weight is 451 kg higher.
- 180-km/h top speed is 55 km/h lower.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM286,910 |
| Body type | Sedan | Wagon |
| 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 | 316 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 | — | 86 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 | 4.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 180 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 | 1,432 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,041 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 529 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/40R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| 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" 5-multi-spoke Two-Tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" 5-multi-spoke Two-Tone Alloy |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist, Oncoming Vehicle and Large Animal Detection (4 to 80 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Blind Spot Collision Mitigation, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Mitigation, Run-off Road Protection |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | Adaptive 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 | 60:40 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 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB-C |
| 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" Touchscreen Sensus Connect Infotainment System with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| 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 |
| Convenience Notes | — | Boot Grocery Bag Holder |
| 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 & V60 for sale
3 Series vs V60 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Volvo V60 better?
The Volvo V60 is the stronger all-round choice for performance, plug-in hybrid running and load space: 316 hp, 49 km EV range and a 529-litre boot. Choose the BMW 3 Series for the lower entry price, lower 1,590-kg weight and rear-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo V60 costs RM19,110 more than the BMW 3 Series. That gap brings the V60’s plug-in hybrid system, all-wheel drive, 132 hp more, 100 Nm more torque and a 49-litre larger boot.
Can the Volvo V60 be driven on electric power alone?
Yes. Its 11.6-kWh battery and single 86-hp, 240-Nm electric motor provide up to 49 km of EV range. AC charging is rated at 3.7 kW. The BMW 3 Series has no electric motor or EV range.