BMW i5 vs Volvo S90
Verdict
At this money, the BMW i5 is the purer EV play at RM368,800 against the Volvo S90’s RM370,888. The BMW’s 83.9 kWh battery and 627 km EV range suit buyers ready to run fully electric, and it is the larger car at 5,060 mm long. The Volvo counters with a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time, all-wheel drive and a 60-litre fuel tank behind its 90 km plug-in electric range. For Malaysia, this is less about size than charging confidence.
Pick the BMW i5 if you want a full EV executive sedan with 627 km of range and rear-wheel drive.
Pick the Volvo S90 if you want plug-in hybrid flexibility, all-wheel drive and the quicker 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: BMW i5 RM368,800; Volvo S90 RM370,888
- Powertrain: BMW i5 single electric motor; Volvo S90 1,969 cc petrol plug-in hybrid
- Power: BMW i5 335 hp; Volvo S90 315 hp
- 0-100 km/h: BMW i5 6.0 seconds; Volvo S90 4.9 seconds
- Battery and EV range: BMW i5 83.9 kWh, 627 km; Volvo S90 18.8 kWh, 90 km
- Boot space: BMW i5 490 litres; Volvo S90 500 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 368,800✓ | RM 370,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Engine | Single motor | 1,969 cc |
| Power | 335 hp✓ | 315 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.0 s | 4.9 s✓ |
| Top speed | 193 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | — | 2.1 L/100km |
| Battery | 83.9 kWh✓ | 18.8 kWh |
| EV range | 627 km✓ | 90 km |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 490 L | 500 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | — | 60 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 395 | RM 365✓ |
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.
i5
- Much longer EV range at 627 km
- Higher output at 335 hp
- Bigger body and longer 2,995 mm wheelbase
- Slower to 100 km/h at 6.0 seconds
- Smaller 490-litre boot
- Shorter 2-year vehicle warranty
S90
- Quicker 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- All-wheel drive traction
- Longer 5-year warranty
- Only 90 km of EV range
- Lower 180 km/h top speed
- Slightly higher price
i5 vs S90 FAQ
Is the BMW i5 or Volvo S90 better?
The BMW i5 is better if you are ready for a full EV, with 627 km range and 335 hp. The Volvo S90 is better if you want plug-in hybrid flexibility, all-wheel drive and a quicker 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The BMW i5 costs RM2,088 less than the Volvo S90, so the price gap is small at this level. The real choice is full electric range versus plug-in hybrid flexibility.
Which has the better electric range?
The BMW i5 has the much longer EV range at 627 km from an 83.9 kWh battery. The Volvo S90 has 90 km of EV range from an 18.8 kWh battery, backed by a petrol engine and 60-litre tank.