Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer with dependable charging, the RM10,000 gap to the EX90 buys far more than trim: 671 hp, 870 Nm, a 106 kWh battery, 617 km of EV range and 350 kW DC charging. It is also 3.5 seconds quicker to 100 km/h. The XC90 costs less to tax at RM428 a year against RM1,940, carries 141 litres more boot space and keeps petrol-hybrid refuelling flexibility. Both are Malaysian-assembled, seven-seat AWD SUVs with a 180 km/h top speed. Choose around your charging routine and luggage needs.
EX90
Pick the Volvo EX90 if you can charge regularly and want 617 km electric range, 671 hp performance and richer front-seat, parking and audio equipment.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if lower annual road tax, a 451-litre boot and petrol-hybrid refuelling suit your seven-seat family use better.
Key differences
- Price: EX90 RM428,888; XC90 RM418,888.
- Road tax per year: EX90 RM1,940; XC90 RM428.
- Power and torque: EX90 671 hp and 870 Nm from two motors; XC90 249 hp and 350 Nm 1,969 cc petrol engine plus 14 hp and 40 Nm motor.
- 0-100 km/h: EX90 4.2 seconds; XC90 7.7 seconds.
- Energy storage and range: EX90 106 kWh battery and 617 km EV range; XC90 71-litre fuel tank.
- Boot space: EX90 310 litres; XC90 451 litres.
EX90
- 617 km EV range from a 106 kWh battery
- 671 hp, 870 Nm and 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- 25-speaker 1,600-watt Bowers & Wilkins system, head-up display and power doors
- RM1,940 annual road tax versus the XC90's RM428
- 310-litre boot is 141 litres smaller than the XC90's
- RM10,000 higher purchase price
XC90
- RM10,000 lower purchase price and RM428 annual road tax
- 451-litre boot for seven-seat family luggage
- Manual rear door shades and a powered sunroof shade
- 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the EX90 by 3.5 seconds
- No electric-only range or AC/DC charging capability
- Lacks the EX90's head-up display, power doors and 25-speaker 1,600-watt audio system
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM428,888 | RM418,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,940 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 249 hp |
| Torque | — | 350 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 671 hp✓ | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | 870 Nm✓ | 40 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 106 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 617 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 350 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.2 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,037 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,964 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,747 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,985 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,704 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 310 litres | 451 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/40R21 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport EV VOL | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Active Air Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Active Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" 8-spoke Glossy Black Diamond-cut Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 8-spoke Glossy Black Diamond-cut Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Active Chassis with Air Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front Center Airbag, 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 | Electric for Rear Doors | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats, with Integrated Booster Cushions | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection | Yes, 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 | Roof-mounted LiDAR removed on the CKD model (driver assistance functionality largely unchanged); dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processors | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto 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 | Powered and Ventilated Nappa Leather Seats with Massage | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50 | 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 | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 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 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,600 watt) | 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 and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless (Depress Brake to Start) | Keyless Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | Active Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| 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 | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 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.
Used EX90 & XC90 for sale
EX90 vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Volvo EX90 or Volvo XC90 better?
The EX90 is better for buyers who can charge at home or work, delivering 617 km range and 4.2-second acceleration. The XC90 is the better fit if a 451-litre boot, lower RM428 road tax and petrol-hybrid refuelling matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX90 costs RM428,888 and the Volvo XC90 costs RM418,888, so the EX90 is RM10,000 more expensive.
Which one has the larger boot?
The Volvo XC90 has the larger boot at 451 litres, compared with 310 litres in the Volvo EX90. That is a 141-litre advantage for the XC90.