Verdict
The BMW i4 costs RM294,800, undercutting the RM339,888 Volvo ES90 by RM45,088, and remains the sharper straight-line choice: 0-100 km/h takes 6.0 seconds against 6.6 seconds, while its 470-litre boot is 46 litres larger. The Volvo earns its premium with a 92-kWh battery, 662-km range and 350-kW DC charging, versus 70.3 kWh, 500 km and 180 kW. Its 3,102-mm wheelbase, air suspension and ventilated reclining rear seats make it the more accommodating long-distance sedan.
Pick the BMW i4 if you want the lower entry price, quicker 0-100 km/h time and a larger boot in a 4,783-mm body.
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you prioritise 662 km of range, 350-kW DC charging and a roomier 3,102-mm-wheelbase cabin.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i4 RM294,800; Volvo ES90 RM339,888.
- Range: BMW i4 500 km; Volvo ES90 662 km.
- Battery and DC charging: BMW i4 70.3 kWh and 180 kW; Volvo ES90 92 kWh and 350 kW.
- Performance: BMW i4 282 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; Volvo ES90 329 hp, 480 Nm and 6.6 seconds.
- Size: BMW i4 4,783 mm long with a 2,856-mm wheelbase; Volvo ES90 5,000 mm long with a 3,102-mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: BMW i4 470 litres; Volvo ES90 424 litres.
i4
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time and 190-km/h top speed.
- 470-litre boot is 46 litres larger.
- Auto parking and adaptive LED projector headlamps.
- 500-km range trails the ES90 by 162 km.
- 180-kW DC charging is far below the ES90's 350 kW.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is three years shorter.
ES90
- 662-km range from a 92-kWh battery.
- 350-kW DC charging and 800V architecture.
- Air suspension, ventilated front seats and ventilated power-reclining rear seats.
- 0-100 km/h takes 6.6 seconds, 0.6 seconds behind the i4.
- 424-litre boot is 46 litres smaller.
- It is 217 mm longer and 335 kg heavier than the i4.
What the i4 has over the ES90
What the ES90 has over the i4
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The ES90's wheelbase is 246 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The ES90 is 90 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the i4: 470 litres against 424.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM294,800✓ | RM339,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM305✓ | RM395 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,010/mo✓ | RM3,470/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,913✓ | RM9,085 |
| Electricity / year (est.) | RM1,249 | RM1,235✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.25 | RM6.17✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM47,335✓ | RM53,574 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 6.4 hours✓ | 8.4 hours |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 25 min | 20 min✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 282 hp | 329 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | 480 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 70.3 kWh | 92 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 500 km | 662 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 180 kW | 350 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds✓ | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,783 mm | 5,000 mm |
| Width | 1,852 mm | 1,942 mm |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,546 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,856 mm | 3,102 mm |
| Weight | 2,075 kg | 2,410 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 470 litres✓ | 424 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R19 | 245/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R19 | 275/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Pirelli P Zero E VOL |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 19 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-996M Bi-colour | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain, Dual Front Centre Airbags) |
| 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 for 2nd Row Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | BMW Laser LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats, Driver's Side Memory | Power Adjustable Nappa Leather Front Seats with Ventilation (Charcoal or Cardamom, Birch Wood Decor) |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Power Reclining Seats with Ventilation |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Glass Roof, Adjustable Opacity |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A Front, 1 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| 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, 10-Speaker HiFi Loudspeaker System | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,650 watt) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| 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 | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked November 2026.
Used i4 & ES90 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW i4
i4 vs ES90 FAQ
Is the BMW i4 or Volvo ES90 better?
The ES90 is better for range, rapid DC charging and rear-seat comfort, with 662 km, 350 kW charging and a 3,102-mm wheelbase. The i4 is better if quicker acceleration, a larger boot and a shorter body matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo ES90 costs RM45,088 more than the BMW i4. That extra spend brings a 21.7-kWh larger battery, 162 km more claimed range, 350-kW DC charging and air suspension.
Which has the better warranty?
The Volvo ES90 has a five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty, versus two years for the BMW i4. Both have an eight-year or 160,000-km battery warranty; the i4 also lists a three-year extended warranty.
How long does charging take?
The i4's 70.3 kWh battery takes about 6.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 180 kW peak. The ES90's 92.0 kWh battery takes about 8.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 20 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 350 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The ES90 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the i4 is fully imported (CBU) from Germany. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.