Verdict
For a Malaysian family needing seven seats, the GAC M8 costs RM90,088 less, brings power sliding doors and second-row captain’s chairs, and can cover a stated 106 km on its 25.57-kWh battery. The Volvo XC90 is the quicker car at 7.7 seconds to 100 km/h against 8.8 seconds, adds all-wheel drive and carries 451 litres behind the third row versus 280 litres. Pick the M8 for MPV practicality and plug-in capability; the XC90 makes more sense if luggage capacity, performance and its CKD status matter more.
M8
Pick the GAC M8 if you want a seven-seat MPV with power sliding doors, captain’s chairs and a 106-km stated EV range for less money.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need all-wheel drive, a 451-litre boot and 7.7-second 0-100 km/h performance in a seven-seat SUV.
Key differences
- Price: GAC M8 RM328,800; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- 0-100 km/h: GAC M8 8.8 seconds; Volvo XC90 7.7 seconds.
- EV range: GAC M8 106 km; Volvo XC90 no stated EV range.
- Boot space: GAC M8 280 litres; Volvo XC90 451 litres.
- Driveline: GAC M8 front-wheel drive; Volvo XC90 all-wheel drive.
- Length: GAC M8 5,212 mm; Volvo XC90 4,950 mm.
M8
- 25.57-kWh battery with a stated 106-km EV range
- Power sliding doors and second-row individual captain’s chairs
- Longer 5,212-mm body and 3,070-mm wheelbase
- Smaller 280-litre boot versus 451 litres
- Slower 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time versus 7.7 seconds
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
XC90
- Quicker 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- 451-litre boot and all-wheel drive
- Front and rear air suspension, plus ventilated front seats
- No stated EV range, battery capacity or charging rate
- No power sliding doors
- Second-row bench arrangement rather than individual captain’s chairs
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM328,800✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | — | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Plug-in Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 187 hp | 249 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 179 hp✓ | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 40 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 25.57 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 106 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 40 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 2-DHT | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.8 seconds | 7.7 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,212 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,893 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,823 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,070 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,420 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 451 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Windshield | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| 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 Projector | Dynamic 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | Second row Individual Captain's Seats, 60:40 Split-folding Third row | 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 System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Second Row, 2 Third Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade and Rear Window Shades | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, 16-Speaker Yamaha Sound System | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Power Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Year, 150,000 km Warranty (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.
Used M8 & XC90 for sale
M8 vs XC90 FAQ
Is the GAC M8 or Volvo XC90 better?
The GAC M8 is better for chauffeur-style MPV access, captain’s chairs and its stated 106-km EV range. The Volvo XC90 is better for a larger 451-litre boot, all-wheel drive and faster acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC90 costs RM90,088 more than the GAC M8.
Which has more luggage space?
The Volvo XC90 has the larger boot at 451 litres, which is 171 litres more than the GAC M8’s 280 litres.