Lexus ES vs Volvo S90
Verdict
The Lexus ES is the lower-cost, conventional petrol choice at RM320,888, with 10 airbags and a higher 210 km/h top speed, but its 204 hp and 9.1-second 0-100 km/h time make it the slower car here. The Volvo S90 costs RM370,888 and uses a petrol plug-in hybrid set-up with 315 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 18.8 kWh battery and 90 km EV range. The RM50,000 gap buys much stronger acceleration, a bigger boot and lower road tax.
ES
Pick the Lexus ES if you want the cheaper executive sedan, more airbags and a straightforward petrol front-wheel-drive layout.
S90
Pick the Volvo S90 if you want plug-in hybrid running, all-wheel drive, far quicker acceleration and a larger boot.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus ES RM320,888; Volvo S90 RM370,888
- Power and torque: Lexus ES 204 hp/247 Nm; Volvo S90 315 hp/400 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus ES 9.1 seconds; Volvo S90 4.9 seconds
- Driven wheels: Lexus ES front-wheel drive; Volvo S90 all-wheel drive
- Boot space: Lexus ES 420 litres; Volvo S90 500 litres
- Road tax: Lexus ES RM867/year; Volvo S90 RM365/year
ES
- RM50,000 cheaper
- 10 airbags versus six
- Higher 210 km/h top speed
- Much slower 9.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 420-litre boot
- No EV range listed
S90
- 315 hp and 400 Nm
- 90 km EV range from 18.8 kWh battery
- 500-litre boot
- RM50,000 dearer
- Six airbags versus 10
- Lower 180 km/h top speed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 320,888✓ | RM 370,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 204 hp | 315 hp✓ |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 86 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 240 Nm |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 18.8 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 90 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 3.7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Direct Shift | 8 Speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.1 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 2.1 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 46 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,975 mm | 4,969 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,879 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,870 mm | 2,941 mm |
| Weight | 1,660 kg | 2,105 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 420 litres | 500 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 255/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | 255/40R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Turanza T005A | Continental ContiSportContact 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | McPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Transverse Leaf Spring, Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 10-spoke Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" 10-spoke Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Chassis - Adjustable Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side, Rear Cushion Bag | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Fold-down Centre Armrest with Audio and Air-con Controls | 60:40 Split-folding with Integrated 2-stage Booster Child Seat Cushions for the Outer Seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 1 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Rear Sun Shade | Powered rear sun shade, manual rear door window sun shades |
| Audio | 8" Remote Touch Interface, Lexus Premium Audio CD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and Pioneer 10-speaker System | 9" Sensus Connect with Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound Audio System, 19 Speakers, 1,400W |
| 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 Start | Keyless Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activated with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Smart Card Key | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Hybrid Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 867 | 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.
ES vs S90 FAQ
Is the Lexus ES or Volvo S90 better?
The Volvo S90 is better for performance and plug-in hybrid use, with 315 hp, all-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The Lexus ES is better if price, 10 airbags and a simpler petrol drivetrain matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo S90 costs RM50,000 more than the Lexus ES. That extra spend brings plug-in hybrid hardware, all-wheel drive, 111 hp more, a bigger boot and lower annual road tax.
Which has more boot space?
The Volvo S90 has the larger boot at 500 litres. The Lexus ES has 420 litres, so the Volvo gives you an extra 80 litres for luggage.