Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series undercuts the Volvo XC90 by RM78,088, carries lower RM379 annual road tax and reaches 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. Its 490-litre boot also beats the Volvo’s 451 litres. But the XC90 brings seven seats, all-wheel drive, 249 hp and 350 Nm, plus a five-year warranty against two years. For a five-seat executive car with the quicker sprint, the BMW is the sharper buy; families needing a third row should take the Volvo.
5 Series
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you want the lower purchase cost, a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time and a 490-litre boot in a five-seat sedan.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive, air suspension and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Performance: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds; Volvo XC90 249 hp and 350 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds.
- Seating: BMW 5 Series has 5 seats; Volvo XC90 has 7 seats.
- Driveline: BMW 5 Series rear-wheel drive; Volvo XC90 all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW 5 Series 490 litres; Volvo XC90 451 litres.
- Warranty: BMW 5 Series 2 years; Volvo XC90 5 years.
5 Series
- RM78,088 less expensive.
- Quicker 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Larger 490-litre boot and head-up display.
- Five seats versus the XC90’s seven.
- Two-year warranty versus five years.
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
XC90
- Seven seats with a 50:50 third row.
- 249 hp, 350 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- Air suspension, ventilated front seats and five-year warranty.
- Costs more than the BMW 5 Series.
- Slower 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 451-litre boot is 39 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | 249 hp✓ |
| Torque | 330 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 40 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Volvo |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 71 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| 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 | Dynamic LED Projectors 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 Ventilation |
| 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 System |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | — |
| 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 | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System |
| 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 |
| 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 | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| 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 | 5 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 & XC90 for sale
5 Series vs XC90 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Volvo XC90 better?
The BMW 5 Series is better for a lower-cost five-seat executive car, quicker acceleration and more boot space. The Volvo XC90 is better if seven seats, all-wheel drive, air suspension and longer warranty cover are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC90 costs RM78,088 more than the BMW 5 Series.
Which has more practical seating?
The Volvo XC90 has seven seats, including a 50:50 split-folding third row, while the BMW 5 Series has five seats. The Volvo is the clear choice for buyers who regularly carry more than five people.