Verdict
The BMW iX costs RM425,800, RM85,912 more than the locally assembled Volvo ES90, and that buys 402 hp, 700 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time. It is also the more practical load carrier with a 500-litre boot. But the ES90 covers 662 km to the iX’s 602 km, can accept 350 kW DC charging against 175 kW, and carries a five-year manufacturer warranty versus two years. For Malaysian long-distance EV use, the Volvo’s range, charging and lower annual road tax make the stronger case; choose the BMW for pace and SUV utility.
Pick the BMW iX if you want 402 hp, 700 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 500-litre SUV boot.
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you prioritise its 662 km range, 350 kW DC charging, five-year warranty and lower running costs.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX RM425,800; Volvo ES90 RM339,888.
- Range: BMW iX 602 km; Volvo ES90 662 km.
- DC charging: BMW iX 175 kW; Volvo ES90 350 kW.
- Performance: BMW iX 402 hp, 700 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds; Volvo ES90 329 hp, 480 Nm and 6.6 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW iX all-wheel drive; Volvo ES90 rear-wheel drive.
- Boot space: BMW iX 500 litres; Volvo ES90 424 litres.
iX
- 402 hp and 700 Nm from two motors
- All-wheel drive and 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- 500-litre boot and standard auto parking
- 602 km range trails the ES90’s 662 km
- 175 kW DC charging is half the ES90’s 350 kW rate
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
ES90
- 662 km quoted range and 350 kW DC charging
- Lower annual road tax at RM395 versus RM545
- Ventilated, power-reclining rear seats and 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio
- 329 hp and 480 Nm fall short of the iX’s 402 hp and 700 Nm
- Rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive
- 424-litre boot is 76 litres smaller than the iX’s
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM425,800 | RM339,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | RM395✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp✓ | 329 hp |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm✓ | 480 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 100.6 kWh✓ | 92 kWh |
| EV Range | 602 km | 662 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 175 kW | 350 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.1 seconds✓ | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,965 mm | 5,000 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,942 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,546 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 3,102 mm |
| Weight | 2,525 kg | 2,410 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 424 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R21 | 245/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R21 | 275/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero E | Pirelli P Zero E VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour 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 Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 | Manual For Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger 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 High Beam Assist | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function | Power Adjustable Nappa Leather Front Seats with Ventilation (Charcoal or Cardamom, Birch Wood Decor) |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Fixed Glass Roof, Adjustable Opacity |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound 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 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 | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | 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 |
| Convenience Notes | Intelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included | — |
| 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.
Used iX & ES90 for sale
iX vs ES90 FAQ
Is the BMW iX or Volvo ES90 better?
The Volvo ES90 is the better long-distance proposition with 662 km range, 350 kW DC charging and a five-year warranty. The BMW iX is better if all-wheel drive, a 5.1-second sprint and a 500-litre boot matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX costs RM85,912 more than the Volvo ES90.
Which one charges faster?
The Volvo ES90 charges faster on DC, accepting up to 350 kW versus the BMW iX’s 175 kW. The iX has the faster AC rate, however, at 22 kW against 11 kW.