Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series undercuts the Volvo EX90 by RM102,088 and carries a far lower RM379 annual road tax against RM965. Its 1,998 cc mild-hybrid petrol powertrain makes 208 hp and 330 Nm, enough for 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. The EX90 is the quicker, more family-focused alternative: its two motors produce 510 hp and 910 Nm for 4.9 seconds, with seven seats and a 600 km EV range. But its 310-litre boot trails the BMW’s 490 litres.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the RM102,088 lower purchase price, lower RM379 road tax and a larger 490-litre boot in a five-seat sedan.
Pick the Volvo EX90 if you need seven seats, 510 hp and 910 Nm electric performance, all-wheel drive and a quoted 600 km range.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; Volvo EX90 RM442,888.
- Power and torque: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; Volvo EX90 510 hp and 910 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; Volvo EX90 4.9 seconds.
- Seats and boot space: BMW 5 Series five seats and 490 litres; Volvo EX90 seven seats and 310 litres.
- Road tax per year: BMW 5 Series RM379; Volvo EX90 RM965.
- EV hardware: BMW 5 Series has a 1,998 cc mild-hybrid petrol powertrain; Volvo EX90 has two motors, a 111 kWh battery and 250 kW DC charging.
5 Series
- RM102,088 less expensive.
- 490-litre boot is 180 litres larger.
- RM379 annual road tax and 230 km/h top speed.
- Five seats versus the EX90’s seven.
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.6 seconds slower.
- No all-wheel drive or air suspension.
EX90
- Seven seats across three rows.
- 510 hp, 910 Nm and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 111 kWh battery, 600 km range and 250 kW DC charging.
- Costs RM102,088 more.
- RM965 annual road tax is RM586 higher.
- 310-litre boot is 180 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM442,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM965 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | — |
| Torque | 330 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 510 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 910 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 111 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 250 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,037 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,964 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,747 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,985 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,704 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 310 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 265/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 295/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport EV VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Chassis with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, 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 on 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 Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Middle Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-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 | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| 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 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 5 Series & EX90 for sale
5 Series vs EX90 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Volvo EX90 better?
The BMW 5 Series is the better financial choice, costing RM102,088 less with lower road tax and a larger boot. The Volvo EX90 is better for seven-seat space, electric driving, all-wheel drive and much stronger 510 hp, 910 Nm performance.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX90 costs RM442,888, which is RM102,088 more than the BMW 5 Series at RM340,800.
Which is quicker and more practical for a large family?
The Volvo EX90 reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, against 7.5 seconds for the BMW 5 Series, and has seven seats instead of five. The BMW counters with a larger 490-litre boot versus the EX90’s 310 litres.