Verdict
At RM378,800, the BMW iX3 undercuts the Volvo EX90 by RM64,088 while carrying a 113.4-kWh battery, a claimed 726 km range and 400 kW DC charging. That is the stronger long-distance proposition, helped by 22 kW AC charging and a lower RM765 annual road tax. The RM442,888 EX90 is the family-led choice: it brings seven seats, 510 hp and 910 Nm, plus air suspension, but its 600 km range and 250 kW DC ceiling trail the BMW. Both hit 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
Pick the BMW iX3 if lower purchase and road-tax costs, 726 km range and 400 kW DC charging matter more than a third row.
Pick the Volvo EX90 if you need seven seats, 910 Nm and air suspension, and can accept the RM64,088 premium.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX3 RM378,800; Volvo EX90 RM442,888.
- EV range: BMW iX3 726 km; Volvo EX90 600 km.
- DC charging: BMW iX3 400 kW; Volvo EX90 250 kW.
- Seating: BMW iX3 five seats; Volvo EX90 seven seats.
- Output: BMW iX3 463 hp and 645 Nm; Volvo EX90 510 hp and 910 Nm.
- Warranty: BMW iX3 two years unlimited mileage; Volvo EX90 five years unlimited mileage.
iX3
- 726 km EV range and 400 kW DC charging
- RM64,088 lower price and RM765 annual road tax
- Auto parking with remote-control parking and 3.7 kW V2L
- Five seats versus the EX90's seven
- 463 hp and 645 Nm trail the EX90's 510 hp and 910 Nm
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
EX90
- Seven-seat cabin with integrated booster cushions on the outer second-row seats
- 510 hp, 910 Nm and air suspension
- 25-speaker, 1,600-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio and contactless powered boot
- RM64,088 dearer to buy, with RM965 annual road tax
- 600 km range and 250 kW DC charging trail the iX3's 726 km and 400 kW
- 310-litre boot space versus the iX3's 520 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM378,800✓ | RM442,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM765✓ | RM965 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 6th-generation BMW eDrive, 800V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 463 hp | 510 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 645 Nm | 910 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 113.4 kWh✓ | 111 kWh |
| EV Range | 726 km✓ | 600 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 400 kW✓ | 250 kW |
| V2L | 3.7 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.9 seconds | 4.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,782 mm | 5,037 mm |
| Width | 1,895 mm | 1,964 mm |
| Height | 1,635 mm | 1,747 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,897 mm | 2,985 mm |
| Weight | 2,285 kg | 2,704 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 310 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R22 | 265/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R22 | 295/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin Pilot Sport EV VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Hungary (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 22" Alloys (9J) | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 22" Alloys (9.5J) | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Chassis with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger, Front Side and Rear Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | 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 | Electronic for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger 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, with High-beam Assistant | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | M Sport Seats, Power Adjustable with Driver Memory | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function for Driver |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50 |
| Front Air-con | 3-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Climate Comfort Glazing | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Middle Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Ambient Light | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | Harman Kardon 13 Speakers (430W); 17.9" Central Display + 43.3" Panoramic Vision, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wireless Charging | 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 & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Comfort Access) | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | Yes | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parking Assistant Professional with Remote Control Parking | — |
| 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 | Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included; Drive Recorder and Remote Theft Recorder; Intelligent Personal Assistant | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | RM399,800 with 5-year extended warranty and service package | 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 iX3 & EX90 for sale
iX3 vs EX90 FAQ
Is the BMW iX3 or Volvo EX90 better?
The BMW iX3 is the better choice for range, charging speed and lower cost, with 726 km, 400 kW DC charging and a RM378,800 price. Choose the Volvo EX90 if seven seats, air suspension and greater 510 hp/910 Nm output are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX90 costs RM64,088 more than the BMW iX3: RM442,888 against RM378,800. Its annual road tax is also RM200 higher, at RM965 versus RM765.
Which EV charges faster?
The BMW iX3 has the higher charging limits: 400 kW DC and 22 kW AC, against the Volvo EX90's 250 kW DC and 11 kW AC. Actual charging time will still depend on the charger used.