Verdict
At RM368,800, the BMW i5 costs RM29,485 more than the RM339,315 Volvo S90, but it is the clearer choice for drivers able to charge regularly: its 83.9-kWh battery, 627-km EV range and 205-kW DC charging leave the S90’s 11.6-kWh battery and 58-km electric range well behind. The Volvo counters with all-wheel drive, a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time and a 500-litre boot. Its petrol plug-in hybrid setup suits buyers who cannot depend on public charging, while the BMW brings a 22-kW AC capability and 490 litres of luggage room.
The i5 M60 xDrive (RM479,800) sits above every S90 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BMW i5 if you can charge at home or work and want 627 km of electric range with 205-kW DC charging.
Pick the Volvo S90 if you need all-wheel drive, a petrol backup beyond its 58-km EV range and a faster 4.9-second sprint to 100 km/h.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Volvo S90 RM339,315.
- EV range: BMW i5 627 km; Volvo S90 58 km.
- Battery capacity: BMW i5 83.9 kWh; Volvo S90 11.6 kWh.
- DC charging: BMW i5 205 kW; Volvo S90 no DC charging rate listed.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 6.0 seconds; Volvo S90 4.9 seconds.
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; Volvo S90 500 litres.
i5
- 627-km EV range from an 83.9-kWh battery.
- 205-kW DC and 22-kW AC charging capability.
- Panoramic glass roof and dual-zone rear climate control.
- Costs RM29,485 more.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 6.0 seconds versus 4.9 seconds.
- 490-litre boot is 10 litres smaller.
S90
- All-wheel drive and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 500-litre boot.
- 19-speaker, 1,400W Bowers & Wilkins audio system.
- Electric range is only 58 km versus 627 km.
- No DC charging rate is listed; AC charging is 3.7 kW versus 22 kW.
- Top speed is 180 km/h versus 193 km/h.
What the i5 has over the S90
What the S90 has over the i5
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The i5's wheelbase is 54 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,800 | RM339,315✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM395 | RM365✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM3,765/mo | RM3,465/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM9,837 | RM9,135✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,189 | RM836✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM5.95 | RM4.18✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM57,103 | RM51,678✓ |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 3.8 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 30 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 315 hp at 5,700 rpm |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm at 2,200 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 335 hp✓ | 86 hp |
| Motor Torque | 430 Nm✓ | 240 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 83.9 kWh✓ | 11.6 kWh |
| EV Range | 627 km✓ | 58 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 3.7 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 205 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8 Speed Automatic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 2.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 193 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 | 2,995 mm | 2,941 mm |
| Weight | 2,205 kg | 2,105 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R20 | 255/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R20 | 255/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Elekt | 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 | 20" Alloys | 19" 10-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 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 | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 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 | LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split Fold | 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 |
| Sunroof | Fixed Panoramic Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 2x Wireless Charger, 2x USB-C ports front, 2x USB-C ports rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB-C |
| 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 | Powered rear sun shade, manual rear door window sun 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) | 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation | 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 View Monitor | Yes, with 360 camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | 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 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). 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 October 2026.
Used i5 & S90 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BMW i5
i5 vs S90 FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Volvo S90 better?
The BMW i5 is better for regular charging and long electric trips, with 627 km of EV range and 205-kW DC charging. Choose the Volvo S90 if all-wheel drive, a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time and petrol-backed travel matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM368,800 and the Volvo S90 costs RM339,315, so the i5 is RM29,485 more expensive.
Which has the better electric driving range?
The BMW i5 does by a large margin: 627 km from its 83.9-kWh battery, compared with the Volvo S90 plug-in hybrid’s 58 km from an 11.6-kWh battery.
How long does charging take?
The i5's 83.9 kWh battery takes about 3.8 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 30 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 205 kW peak.
Which has the better warranty?
The S90 carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty against 2 years for the i5. i5: 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery. S90: 8-year/160,000 km Hybrid Battery Warranty.