Verdict
At RM269,888, the Maxus MIFA 9 costs just RM1,000 more than the Volvo XC40 but approaches the job from the opposite direction. Its seven seats, 1,010-litre boot and 3,200-mm wheelbase make it the family mover, while its 435-km EV range, 11-kW AC and 120-kW DC charging suit buyers ready to charge. The XC40 is 845 mm shorter, far quicker at 6.4 seconds to 100 km/h and has AWD, but brings five seats, a 460-litre boot and 7.7 L/100 km petrol-hybrid consumption. Its RM428 annual road tax also exceeds the Maxus’ RM220.
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if seven seats, a 1,010-litre boot and 435 km of electric range matter more than rapid acceleration.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want a much shorter AWD SUV with a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time and petrol-hybrid flexibility.
Key differences
- Price: Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Seats and boot: Maxus MIFA 9 has 7 seats and 1,010 litres; Volvo XC40 has 5 seats and 460 litres.
- Length and wheelbase: Maxus MIFA 9 is 5,270 mm long with a 3,200-mm wheelbase; Volvo XC40 is 4,425 mm and 2,702 mm.
- Performance: Maxus MIFA 9 reaches 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds; Volvo XC40 does it in 6.4 seconds.
- Powertrain: Maxus MIFA 9 has a 241-hp, 350-Nm electric motor and 435-km range; Volvo XC40 has a 263-hp, 390-Nm 1,969-cc petrol-hybrid powertrain.
- Road tax: Maxus MIFA 9 RM220 per year; Volvo XC40 RM428 per year.
MIFA 9
- Seven seats and a 1,010-litre boot.
- 435-km EV range with 11-kW AC and 120-kW DC charging.
- Powered sliding doors, a sunroof and 360-degree camera.
- 9.2-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.8 seconds slower than the XC40.
- Front-wheel drive versus the XC40’s all-wheel drive.
- It is 845 mm longer than the XC40.
XC40
- 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time and all-wheel drive.
- 845 mm shorter than the MIFA 9 for a smaller footprint.
- Front and rear parking sensors plus auto parking.
- Five seats and a 460-litre boot trail the MIFA 9’s seven seats and 1,010 litres.
- RM428 annual road tax is RM208 higher than the MIFA 9’s.
- 7.7 L/100 km rated fuel consumption, while the MIFA 9 has a 435-km electric range.
What the MIFA 9 has over the XC40
What the XC40 has over the MIFA 9
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The MIFA 9's wheelbase is 498 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. The MIFA 9 is 137 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the MIFA 9: 1,010 litres against 460.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM269,888 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM220✓ | RM428 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM2,755/mo | RM2,745/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM7,265✓ | RM7,304 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | — | RM3,065 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | — | RM15.32 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | — | RM53,982 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 263 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 390 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 241 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 350 Nm | — |
| EV Range | 435 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags) | 7 (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 Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/200,000 km battery warranty | 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used MIFA 9 & XC40 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Maxus MIFA 9
Volvo XC40
MIFA 9 vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Maxus MIFA 9 or Volvo XC40 better?
The MIFA 9 is better for carrying people and luggage, with seven seats and a 1,010-litre boot. The XC40 is better for quicker performance and a smaller footprint, reaching 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds versus 9.2 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The Maxus MIFA 9 is RM1,000 more expensive: RM269,888 versus RM268,888 for the Volvo XC40.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Maxus MIFA 9 has lower annual road tax at RM220, compared with RM428 for the Volvo XC40. That is a RM208 yearly difference.
Which one is locally assembled?
The XC40 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the MIFA 9 is fully imported (CBU) from China. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.