Verdict
The Volvo ES90 costs RM339,888 to the BMW i5’s RM368,800, so the RM28,912 saving also brings a 92-kWh battery, 662-km range and 350-kW DC charging against 83.9 kWh, 627 km and 205 kW. That matters on Malaysian interstate charging runs. The i5 responds with 335 hp, a 6.0-second century sprint and a 490-litre boot, versus 329 hp, 6.6 seconds and 424 litres. Pick driving pace and luggage space, or take the ES90’s longer legs, 800V hardware and air suspension.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if its quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time, 490-litre boot and 22-kW AC charging suit your use better.
ES90
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you want 662 km of range, 350-kW DC charging, air suspension and a lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Volvo ES90 RM339,888.
- Motor output: BMW i5 335 hp and 430 Nm; Volvo ES90 329 hp and 480 Nm.
- Battery and range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh and 627 km; Volvo ES90 92 kWh and 662 km.
- Charging: BMW i5 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC; Volvo ES90 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC.
- Performance: BMW i5 reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and tops out at 193 km/h; Volvo ES90 does 6.6 seconds and 180 km/h.
- Practicality: BMW i5 has a 490-litre boot and four doors; Volvo ES90 has a 424-litre boot and five doors.
i5
- Quicker 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 490-litre boot
- Faster 22-kW AC charging and standard auto parking
- 205-kW DC charging trails the ES90’s 350 kW
- 627-km range is 35 km short of the ES90’s 662 km
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus the ES90’s five years
ES90
- Longer 662-km range from a 92-kWh battery
- 350-kW DC charging and 800V architecture
- Air suspension, ventilated reclining rear seats and 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio
- Slower 6.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- 424-litre boot is 66 litres smaller
- 11-kW AC charging and no auto-parking function
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800 | RM339,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395 | RM395 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 329 hp |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 480 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 92 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km | 662 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 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 | 193 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,000 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,942 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,546 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 3,102 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,410 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 424 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 245/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 275/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Pirelli P Zero E VOL |
| 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 | 20" Alloys | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | 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 | Electric for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear 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 | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Nappa Leather Front Seats with Ventilation (Charcoal or Cardamom, Birch Wood Decor) |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Fixed Glass Roof, Adjustable Opacity |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports 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 |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Windscreen Sun Shade & Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Door Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (655W) | 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 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | 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 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | 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 i5 & ES90 for sale
i5 vs ES90 FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Volvo ES90 better?
The Volvo ES90 is the stronger all-round choice for range, DC charging and rear-seat comfort. The BMW i5 is better if quicker acceleration, a larger boot, 22-kW AC charging and auto parking are higher priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo ES90 is RM28,912 cheaper than the BMW i5.
Which one charges faster?
The ES90 charges faster on DC, at 350 kW versus 205 kW for the i5. The i5 is quicker on AC charging, accepting 22 kW against the ES90’s 11 kW.