Verdict
At RM340,800 for the BMW 5 Series and RM339,315 for the Volvo S90, the gap is only RM1,485. The S90 brings a 315 hp, 400 Nm 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid drivetrain, two electric motors, 58 km EV range and all-wheel drive; its 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.6 seconds ahead of the 5 Series’ 208 hp, 330 Nm rear-drive mild hybrid. The BMW counters with a 230 km/h top speed, 14.9-inch display and rear dual-zone climate control. For low-emission commuting and stronger outright performance, the Volvo has the clearer numbers.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the larger 5,060 mm body, 230 km/h top speed, 14.9-inch Curved Display and rear dual-zone air-conditioning.
Pick the Volvo S90 if you want 315 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and up to 58 km of electric range for just RM1,485 less.
Key differences
- Power and torque: BMW 5 Series 208 hp/330 Nm; Volvo S90 315 hp/400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; Volvo S90 4.9 seconds.
- Drivetrain: BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive; Volvo S90 all-wheel drive.
- Electrification: BMW 5 Series mild-hybrid assistance; Volvo S90 plug-in hybrid with two motors, 11.6 kWh battery and 58 km EV range.
- Top speed: BMW 5 Series 230 km/h; Volvo S90 180 km/h.
- Warranty: BMW 5 Series two years plus optional three-year extension; Volvo S90 five years and an eight-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty.
5 Series
- 230 km/h top speed versus 180 km/h.
- 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio.
- Rear dual-zone automatic climate control and a 40:20:40 rear seat split.
- 208 hp and 330 Nm trail the S90’s 315 hp and 400 Nm.
- 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.6 seconds slower.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is shorter than the S90’s five years.
S90
- 315 hp, 400 Nm and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h performance.
- 58 km EV range from an 11.6 kWh battery, with 3.7 kW AC charging.
- Five-year vehicle warranty, plus an eight-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty.
- 180 km/h top speed is 50 km/h below the BMW’s 230 km/h.
- Rear air-conditioning is limited to rear vents, versus the BMW’s rear dual-zone automatic climate control.
- 9-inch infotainment screen is smaller than the BMW’s 14.9-inch display.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800 | RM339,315✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | 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 and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | 315 hp✓ |
| Torque | 330 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 86 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 240 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 11.6 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 58 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | 8 Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 2.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 46 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,969 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,879 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,941 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,105 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 255/40R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Continental ContiSportContact 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Transverse Leaf Spring, Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" 10-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 19" 10-spoke Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Chassis - Adjustable Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, 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 two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety 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 | 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Integrated 2-stage Booster Child Seat Cushions for the Outer Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Powered rear sun shade, manual rear door window sun shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 9" Sensus Connect with Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound Audio System, 19 Speakers, 1,400W |
| 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 | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Hybrid 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 & S90 for sale
5 Series vs S90 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Volvo S90 better?
The Volvo S90 is the stronger choice on performance and electrification: 315 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, 4.9-second 0-100 km/h acceleration and 58 km EV range. Choose the BMW 5 Series for its 230 km/h top speed, larger display and rear dual-zone climate control.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo S90 costs RM1,485 less than the BMW 5 Series. That is a very small gap given the Volvo’s plug-in hybrid system, 58 km EV range, all-wheel drive and five-year vehicle warranty.
Which car has the longer warranty?
The Volvo S90 has a five-year manufacturer warranty and an eight-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty. The BMW 5 Series has a two-year manufacturer warranty, with a three-year extended warranty available.