Verdict
At RM269,888 for the Maxus MIFA 9 and RM268,888 for the Volvo XC40, this is not a price fight. The Maxus is the family hauler: seven seats, a 3,200 mm wheelbase, 1,010 litres of boot space and 435 km of EV range. The Volvo is the quicker, smaller premium SUV, with 263 hp, 390 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time. For a Malaysian buyer, the decision is mainly cabin space and EV use against pace, compactness and petrol-hybrid flexibility.
MIFA 9
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if you need seven seats, powered sliding doors, a huge boot and a full-electric 435 km driving range.
XC40
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want a smaller five-seat SUV with all-wheel drive, stronger acceleration and petrol-hybrid convenience.
Key differences
- Price: Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888
- Powertrain: Maxus MIFA 9 has one electric motor with 241 hp and 350 Nm; Volvo XC40 has a 1,969 cc turbo petrol hybrid with 263 hp and 390 Nm
- Acceleration: Maxus MIFA 9 does 0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds; Volvo XC40 does it in 6.4 seconds
- Size: Maxus MIFA 9 is 5,270 mm long with a 3,200 mm wheelbase; Volvo XC40 is 4,425 mm long with a 2,702 mm wheelbase
- Seats and boot: Maxus MIFA 9 has 7 seats and 1,010 litres; Volvo XC40 has 5 seats and 460 litres
- Road tax: Maxus MIFA 9 is RM220 per year; Volvo XC40 is RM428 per year
MIFA 9
- Seven seats and 1,010 litres of boot space make it the clear people-and-luggage choice
- 435 km EV range, 11 kW AC charging and 120 kW DC charging are listed
- Powered sliding doors, sunroof, powered boot and 360-degree camera add daily-use convenience
- Slower than the Volvo, at 9.2 seconds versus 6.4 seconds for 0-100 km/h
- Front-wheel drive only; the Volvo gets all-wheel drive
- Much larger and heavier: 5,270 mm and 3,095 kg versus 4,425 mm and 1,875 kg
XC40
- Much quicker, with 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds
- All-wheel drive and an 8-speed Geartronic automatic are included
- Front and rear parking sensors, navigation and auto parking are fitted
- Only five seats and 460 litres of boot space versus seven seats and 1,010 litres in the Maxus
- Higher annual road tax at RM428 versus RM220
- No sunroof or powered sliding doors listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 269,888 | RM 268,888✓ |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 263 hp |
| Torque | — | 390 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 241 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 350 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Ternary Lithium Battery | — |
| EV Range | 435 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 120 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.2 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,270 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 2,000 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,840 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,200 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 3,095 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 1,010 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger and outer two second row seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Headlights | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED Tail Lights | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Power Lumbar | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Sliding and Folding Second Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 8-speaker sound system | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Powered Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | 200,000 km | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Extended | 8 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 220✓ | RM 428 |
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.
MIFA 9 vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Maxus MIFA 9 or Volvo XC40 better?
The Maxus MIFA 9 is better for family carrying and EV driving. The Volvo XC40 is better for performance and compact SUV use, with a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Maxus MIFA 9 costs RM269,888, while the Volvo XC40 costs RM268,888. The Maxus is RM1,000 more expensive.
Which has more space?
The Maxus MIFA 9 has far more space, with seven seats and 1,010 litres of boot capacity. The Volvo XC40 has five seats and 460 litres.