Verdict
The BMW X5 costs RM470,800, RM41,912 more than the RM428,888 Volvo EX90. Its 650-litre boot, 83-litre fuel tank and 250 km/h top speed suit buyers covering long distances without planning charging stops. But the EX90 gives a Malaysian family seven seats, 671 hp and 870 Nm, hitting 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds against the X5’s 5.4 seconds. Its 106-kWh battery claims 617 km of range and accepts up to 350 kW DC charging. The X5 remains the practical five-seat choice; the EX90 is the stronger value for an EV-ready household needing a third row.
Pick the BMW X5 if you need its 650-litre boot, 83-litre fuel tank and 250 km/h top speed more than seven seats and EV charging.
Pick the Volvo EX90 if you want seven seats, 617 km of claimed EV range, 4.2-second acceleration and a five-year vehicle warranty for less money.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X5 RM470,800; Volvo EX90 RM428,888.
- Power and torque: BMW X5 308 hp and 540 Nm; Volvo EX90 671 hp and 870 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: BMW X5 5.4 seconds and 250 km/h; Volvo EX90 4.2 seconds and 180 km/h.
- Seating and boot space: BMW X5 five seats and 650 litres; Volvo EX90 seven seats and 310 litres.
- Weight: BMW X5 2,240 kg; Volvo EX90 2,704 kg.
- Vehicle warranty: BMW X5 two years; Volvo EX90 five years, plus an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
X5
- 650-litre boot is 340 litres larger.
- 83-litre fuel tank avoids dependence on charging.
- 250 km/h top speed and auto parking.
- Only five seats versus the EX90’s seven.
- Costs RM41,912 more despite lower 308 hp and 540 Nm outputs.
- Two-year vehicle warranty is three years shorter.
EX90
- Seven seats, including a 50:50-split third row.
- 671 hp, 870 Nm and a 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 106-kWh battery, 617 km claimed range and 350 kW DC charging.
- 310-litre boot is 340 litres smaller than the X5’s.
- 2,704 kg kerb weight is 464 kg heavier.
- 180 km/h top speed is 70 km/h lower, and it lacks auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM470,800 | RM428,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637✓ | RM1,940 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 308 hp | — |
| Torque | 540 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 671 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 870 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 106 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 617 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Steptronic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds | 4.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,935 mm | 5,037 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,964 mm |
| Height | 1,765 mm | 1,747 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 2,985 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 2,704 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 650 litres✓ | 310 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/40R21 | 265/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/35R21 | 295/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats | Michelin Pilot Sport EV VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Active Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Active Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 21" 8-spoke Glossy Black Diamond-cut Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 21" 8-spoke Glossy Black Diamond-cut Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | Active Chassis with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear 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 | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 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 |
| Safety Notes | — | Roof-mounted LiDAR removed on the CKD model (driver assistance functionality largely unchanged); dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processors |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Powered and Ventilated Nappa Leather Seats with Massage |
| 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 | 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 Sliding Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C 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 Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | 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 Push Button | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 X5 & EX90 for sale
X5 vs EX90 FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or Volvo EX90 better?
The Volvo EX90 is the better fit for seven-seat family use, rapid EV performance and claimed 617 km range. Choose the BMW X5 for its much larger 650-litre boot, fuel-tank convenience and higher 250 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX90 costs RM41,912 less than the BMW X5. It also carries a five-year vehicle warranty versus two years for the X5, while adding an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
Which is quicker and easier to recharge or refuel?
The EX90 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds versus 5.4 seconds. It supports 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging; the X5 instead uses an 83-litre petrol tank, which suits buyers without convenient charging.