Verdict
At RM368,800, the BMW i5 undercuts the Volvo EX90 by RM74,088 and cuts annual road tax from RM965 to RM395. Its 627 km range is 27 km ahead despite an 83.9 kWh battery, while 22 kW AC charging suits destinations with higher-output wallboxes. The EX90 counters with 510 hp, 910 Nm, all-wheel drive and seven seats; it reaches 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. Choose by use: the BMW is the lighter five-seat executive sedan, the Volvo the taller family SUV.
i5
Pick the BMW i5 if you want the lower purchase and road-tax costs, 627 km range and a 490-litre boot in a five-seat sedan.
EX90
Pick the Volvo EX90 if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive and 510 hp for much quicker acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Volvo EX90 RM442,888.
- Range and battery: BMW i5 627 km and 83.9 kWh; Volvo EX90 600 km and 111 kWh.
- Performance: BMW i5 335 hp, 430 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; Volvo EX90 510 hp, 910 Nm and 4.9 seconds.
- Charging: BMW i5 supports 22 kW AC and 205 kW DC; Volvo EX90 supports 11 kW AC and 250 kW DC.
- Practicality: BMW i5 has five seats and 490 litres of boot space; Volvo EX90 has seven seats and 310 litres.
- Weight and driveline: BMW i5 weighs 2,205 kg and is rear-wheel drive; Volvo EX90 weighs 2,704 kg and is all-wheel drive.
i5
- RM74,088 cheaper to buy with RM570 lower annual road tax.
- 627 km range, 27 km more than the EX90.
- 490-litre boot is 180 litres larger.
- Five seats versus the EX90's seven.
- 205 kW DC charging trails the EX90's 250 kW maximum.
- 335 hp and 430 Nm deliver a slower 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
EX90
- Seven-seat SUV layout with a 50:50-folding third row.
- 510 hp, 910 Nm and all-wheel drive; 0-100 km/h takes 4.9 seconds.
- 250 kW DC charging, air suspension and a 25-speaker 1,600-watt Bowers & Wilkins system.
- Costs RM74,088 more and annual road tax is RM965 versus RM395.
- 600 km range is 27 km behind the i5 despite a 111 kWh battery.
- 310-litre boot is 180 litres smaller, and its 2,704 kg kerb weight is 499 kg higher.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800✓ | RM442,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395✓ | RM965 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp | 510 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm | 910 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh | 111 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 627 km✓ | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | 250 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 193 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,037 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,964 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,747 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,985 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,704 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 310 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 265/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 295/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | Michelin Pilot Sport EV VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Chassis with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front Center Airbag, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats | Available on outer rear seats, with Integrated Booster Cushions |
| 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 | LED Reflector 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 Front Seats with Memory Function for Driver |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 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 |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Middle Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| 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 Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,600 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| 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 | 5 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 & EX90 for sale
i5 vs EX90 FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Volvo EX90 better?
The BMW i5 is the better choice for lower costs, longer 627 km range and a larger 490-litre boot. The Volvo EX90 is better if seven seats, all-wheel drive and 4.9-second acceleration matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX90 costs RM74,088 more than the BMW i5. Its annual road tax is also RM570 higher, at RM965 versus RM395.
Which one charges faster?
The Volvo EX90 has the higher 250 kW DC charging rate, against 205 kW for the BMW i5. The i5 wins on AC charging, supporting 22 kW versus the EX90's 11 kW.