BMW 5 Series vs Volvo S60
Verdict
The BMW 5 Series is the bigger, pricier sedan at RM340,800, stretching 5,060 mm long with a 2,900 mm wheelbase and a 490-litre boot. The Volvo S60 costs RM315,888 and is smaller, but its plug-in hybrid hardware changes the story: 314 hp, 400 Nm, AWD and 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds against the BMW’s 208 hp, 330 Nm, RWD and 7.5 seconds. For a Malaysian buyer, the BMW buys space; the Volvo buys pace, five-year cover and 90 km of EV range.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the larger executive sedan with more boot space and rear-wheel drive.
Pick the Volvo S60 if you want the quicker, cheaper plug-in hybrid with AWD, 90 km EV range and a longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; Volvo S60 RM315,888
- Power and torque: BMW 5 Series 208 hp/330 Nm; Volvo S60 314 hp/400 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; Volvo S60 4.5 seconds
- Driven wheels: BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive; Volvo S60 all-wheel drive
- Size: BMW 5 Series 5,060 mm long with 2,900 mm wheelbase; Volvo S60 4,761 mm long with 2,872 mm wheelbase
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; Volvo S60 391 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 340,800 | RM 315,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Power | 208 hp | 314 hp✓ |
| Torque | 330 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 7.5 s | 4.5 s✓ |
| Top speed | 230 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | — | 2.0 L/100km |
| Battery | — | 18.8 kWh |
| EV range | — | 90 km |
| CO₂ | — | 46 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Boot space | 490 L✓ | 391 L |
| Fuel tank | — | 60 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 379 | RM 365✓ |
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.
5 Series
- Longer 5,060 mm body gives it the bigger executive-car footprint
- 490-litre boot is 99 litres larger than the Volvo’s
- Rear-wheel drive layout
- Costs RM24,912 more than the Volvo S60
- Slower 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Two-year warranty trails the Volvo’s five-year cover
S60
- Much quicker 4.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- 314 hp and 400 Nm beat the BMW’s outputs
- Plug-in hybrid system gives 90 km EV range from an 18.8 kWh battery
- 391-litre boot is smaller than the BMW’s 490 litres
- Shorter 2,872 mm wheelbase than the BMW’s 2,900 mm
- Compact executive positioning against the BMW’s executive segment
5 Series vs S60 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Volvo S60 better?
On paper, the Volvo S60 is the stronger buy for most drivers: it is cheaper, quicker, more powerful and has a longer warranty. The BMW 5 Series is better if cabin presence and boot space matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800, while the Volvo S60 costs RM315,888. That makes the BMW RM24,912 more expensive.
Which car is quicker from 0-100 km/h?
The Volvo S60 is much quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The BMW 5 Series takes 7.5 seconds.