Verdict
The RM150,000 gap is substantial: the XC40 costs RM268,888 and brings 263 hp, 390 Nm and a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time, against the XC90’s 249 hp, 350 Nm and 7.7 seconds. It is also 525 mm shorter and 475 kg lighter, so it is the more manageable proposition for Malaysian urban use. The XC90 justifies its higher outlay with seven seats, a 2,984 mm wheelbase, air suspension and a 71-litre tank. Choose it for people-carrying rather than outright pace; its 451-litre boot is actually 9 litres smaller than the XC40’s 460 litres.
XC40
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want the RM268,888, five-seat SUV with stronger 263 hp/390 Nm outputs and quicker 6.4-second acceleration.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, a 2,984 mm wheelbase, air suspension and a 71-litre fuel tank.
Key differences
- Price: XC40 RM268,888; XC90 RM418,888.
- Performance: XC40 263 hp, 390 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds; XC90 249 hp, 350 Nm and 7.7 seconds.
- Size: XC40 is 4,425 mm long with a 2,702 mm wheelbase; XC90 is 4,950 mm long with a 2,984 mm wheelbase.
- Seating and boot: XC40 has five seats and 460 litres; XC90 has seven seats and 451 litres.
- Weight and tank: XC40 weighs 1,875 kg with a 49-litre tank; XC90 weighs 2,350 kg with a 71-litre tank.
- Suspension and wheels: XC40 uses MacPherson struts/multi-link suspension and 19-inch wheels; XC90 gets double-wishbone/multi-link air suspension and 20-inch…
XC40
- RM150,000 less expensive.
- 263 hp and 390 Nm; 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds.
- 525 mm shorter, 475 kg lighter and has a 460-litre boot.
- Five seats versus the XC90's seven.
- 49-litre fuel tank versus 71 litres.
- No air suspension, panoramic sunroof or 360-degree camera.
XC90
- Seven seats with 40:20:40 second-row and 50:50 third-row folding.
- Air suspension, 360-degree camera and powered hands-free boot.
- 71-litre fuel tank, ventilated front seats and Bowers & Wilkins audio.
- Costs RM150,000 more.
- 249 hp, 350 Nm and 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time trail the XC40.
- 451-litre boot is 9 litres smaller despite the larger body.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM268,888✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM428 | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,969 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 263 hp✓ | 249 hp |
| Torque | 390 Nm✓ | 350 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 82 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 40 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Geartronic Automatic Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.4 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | 50 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,425 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,863 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,658 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,702 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,875 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 49 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 460 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Sport Chassis | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, 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 | Power safety lock for rear door | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal 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 |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | Dynamic LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | 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 System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front | — |
| 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 | — | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 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 Push button | Keyless Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | 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 | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid 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 XC40 & XC90 for sale
XC40 vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Volvo XC40 or Volvo XC90 better?
The XC40 is better for price, performance and compact dimensions: it is RM150,000 cheaper and reaches 100 km/h 1.3 seconds sooner. The XC90 is better only if its seven seats, longer wheelbase, air suspension and 71-litre tank suit your needs.
What is the price difference?
The XC90 costs RM418,888, which is RM150,000 more than the XC40 at RM268,888.
Which Volvo has more passenger space and luggage room?
The XC90 has seven seats and a 282 mm longer wheelbase, so it is the passenger-carrying choice. But the XC40 lists a slightly larger 460-litre boot, compared with 451 litres in the XC90.