Verdict
For RM442,888, the EX90 is the rational Malaysian family choice: it costs RM56,000 less, carries seven instead of five and its 111-kWh battery claims 600 km, against the GLE PHEV’s 31-kWh pack and 114 km. Its two motors also cut 0-100 km/h to 4.9 seconds versus 6.1. The GLE counters with a more useful 490-litre boot, 180 litres ahead of the Volvo, plus ventilated massage front seats and automatic parking. Choose carefully around annual tax: RM965 for the EX90 versus RM440.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you need the larger 490-litre boot, massage and ventilated front seats, and automatic parking.
Pick the Volvo EX90 if seven seats, a 600-km electric range and quicker 4.9-second acceleration matter more.
Key differences
- EV range: Mercedes-Benz GLE 114 km; Volvo EX90 600 km.
- Battery capacity: Mercedes-Benz GLE 31 kWh; Volvo EX90 111 kWh.
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 seconds; Volvo EX90 4.9 seconds.
- Seats: Mercedes-Benz GLE 5; Volvo EX90 7.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz GLE 490 litres; Volvo EX90 310 litres.
- Annual road tax: Mercedes-Benz GLE RM440; Volvo EX90 RM965.
GLE
- 490-litre boot, versus 310 litres
- Massage and ventilated front seats
- Automatic parking and 210 km/h top speed
- Five seats versus the EX90's seven
- 114-km EV range versus 600 km
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time and no DC charging rate
EX90
- Seven-seat cabin with integrated outer second-row booster cushions
- 600-km EV range and 250-kW DC charging
- 510 hp, 910 Nm and 4.9-second 0-100 km/h
- 310-litre boot is 180 litres smaller
- RM965 annual road tax versus RM440
- 180 km/h top speed versus 210 km/h
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM498,888 | RM442,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM440✓ | RM965 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 248 hp | — |
| Torque | 400 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 154 hp | 510 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 440 Nm | 910 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 31 kWh | 111 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 114 km | 600 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 250 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | — |
| Gears | 9 | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.1 seconds | 4.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,924 mm | 5,037 mm |
| Width | 1,947 mm | 1,964 mm |
| Height | 1,772 mm | 1,747 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm | 2,985 mm |
| Weight | 2,685 kg | 2,704 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 85 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 310 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/45R21 | 265/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/40R21 | 295/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Michelin Pilot Sport EV VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) | Active Chassis with Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front Center Airbag, 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 on two rear passenger seats | Available on outer rear seats, with Integrated Booster Cushions |
| 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 Reflectors | LED Reflector 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 with Massage and Ventilation Functions | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function for Driver |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 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 |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Middle Row, 2 USB-C Third Row |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,600 watt) |
| 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 Button | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | Yes |
| 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 Battery Warranty | 8-year/160,000 km 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 GLE & EX90 for sale
GLE vs EX90 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLE or Volvo EX90 better?
The Volvo EX90 is better for a seven-seat electric SUV, with 600 km of range and a 4.9-second 0-100 km/h time. The GLE suits buyers who prioritise a 490-litre boot, ventilated massage seats and automatic parking.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX90 costs RM442,888 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM498,888, so the GLE is RM56,000 more expensive.
Which has the better boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the larger boot at 490 litres, compared with 310 litres in the seven-seat Volvo EX90. That is a 180-litre advantage for the GLE.