Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class costs RM51,000 less at RM367,888 and is the sharper choice for five occupants, pairing a 540-litre boot with a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time. Its 201 hp and 320 Nm trail the Volvo XC90’s 249 hp and 350 Nm, but the Volvo is a fundamentally different proposition: a 5,950? No—the XC90 is a seven-seat SUV with all-wheel drive, air suspension and a 451-litre boot. Choose the Volvo only if its extra two seats, taller body and family-focused cabin matter more than the E-Class’ lower price and larger luggage space.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz E-Class if you want the RM367,888 five-seat executive sedan with a 540-litre boot and quicker 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive, air suspension and a panoramic sunroof, and can justify RM418,888.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz E-Class RM367,888; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Seating: Mercedes-Benz E-Class 5 seats; Volvo XC90 7 seats.
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz E-Class 201 hp/320 Nm; Volvo XC90 249 hp/350 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz E-Class 7.5 seconds; Volvo XC90 7.7 seconds.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz E-Class 540 litres; Volvo XC90 451 litres.
- Driveline: Mercedes-Benz E-Class rear-wheel drive; Volvo XC90 all-wheel drive.
E-Class
- RM51,000 lower purchase price
- 540-litre boot, 89 litres larger
- Quicker 7.5-second century sprint
- Five seats versus the XC90's seven
- 201 hp and 320 Nm versus 249 hp and 350 Nm
- No panoramic sunroof or air suspension
XC90
- Seven seats with 50:50 third-row folding
- All-wheel drive and air suspension
- Panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats
- RM51,000 higher purchase price
- 451-litre boot is 89 litres smaller
- Slower 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM367,888✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM380✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 249 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 83 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 23 hp✓ | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm✓ | 40 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | 9 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Daimler AG | Volvo |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,949 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,880 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,961 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,825 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 540 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/40R19 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack & Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 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 | Reflector LED with Adaptive High Beam | 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 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 System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.4" MBUX Multimedia with Online Music Streaming, AI functionality built-in, Seven Speaker 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, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 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 E-Class & XC90 for sale
E-Class vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class or Volvo XC90 better?
The E-Class is better for a five-seat executive sedan buyer seeking lower cost, a 540-litre boot and quicker acceleration. The XC90 is better when seven seats, all-wheel drive and air suspension are non-negotiable.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC90 costs RM51,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class: RM418,888 against RM367,888. Its annual road tax is also RM428, compared with RM380 for the E-Class.
Which has more practical family space?
The Volvo XC90 has seven seats, three rows and six cup holders, against the E-Class' five seats and four cup holders. But the E-Class has the larger boot, at 540 litres versus 451 litres.