Verdict
At RM340,800, the BMW 5 Series is RM912 dearer than the RM339,888 Volvo ES90, so price is effectively a draw. The Volvo brings much stronger numbers: 329 hp, 480 Nm, a 92 kWh battery and 662 km of range, versus the BMW’s 208 hp and 330 Nm 2.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol powertrain. It is also quicker to 100 km/h at 6.6 seconds, has 350 kW DC charging, nine airbags and a five-year warranty. The BMW counters with a larger 490-litre boot, 230 km/h top speed and rear window shades. For a Malaysian able to charge at home or work, the ES90 is the better-equipped buy.
Pick the BMW 5 Series if you need its larger 490-litre boot, 230 km/h top speed and rear window shades.
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you can charge an EV and want 662 km range, 329 hp, nine airbags and a five-year warranty for RM912 less.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 5 Series RM340,800; Volvo ES90 RM339,888.
- Power and torque: BMW 5 Series 208 hp and 330 Nm; Volvo ES90 329 hp and 480 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 5 Series 7.5 seconds; Volvo ES90 6.6 seconds.
- Dimensions: BMW 5 Series has a 2,900 mm wheelbase and 490-litre boot; Volvo ES90 has a 3,102 mm wheelbase and 424-litre boot.
- Safety and warranty: BMW 5 Series has six airbags and a two-year warranty; Volvo ES90 has nine airbags and a five-year warranty.
- Road tax and top speed: BMW 5 Series RM379/year and 230 km/h; Volvo ES90 RM395/year and 180 km/h.
5 Series
- 490-litre boot, 66 litres more than the ES90.
- 230 km/h top speed.
- Rear window shades.
- 208 hp and 330 Nm trail the ES90’s 329 hp and 480 Nm.
- Seven airbags fewer than the ES90.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
ES90
- 662 km EV range from a 92 kWh battery.
- 350 kW DC charging and 11 kW AC charging.
- Nine airbags, ventilated reclining rear seats and a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system.
- 424-litre boot is 66 litres smaller than the BMW’s.
- 180 km/h top speed is 50 km/h lower than the BMW’s.
- RM395 annual road tax is RM16 higher.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM340,800 | RM339,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM395 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing and mild hybrid assistance | 800V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,000 rpm | — |
| Torque | 330 Nm at 1,500 rpm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 329 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 480 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 92 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 662 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 350 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | 6.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,060 mm | 5,000 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,942 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,546 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm | 3,102 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,410 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 490 litres✓ | 424 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/45R19 | 245/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/45R19 | 275/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Pirelli P Zero E VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Style-934 Alloys | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Active Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain, Dual Front Centre Airbags) |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam | 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 Nappa Leather Front Seats with Ventilation (Charcoal or Cardamom, Birch Wood Decor) |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Power Reclining Seats with Ventilation |
| 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 | — | Fixed Glass Roof, Adjustable Opacity |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 4 USB Rear | 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | — |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 12-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,650 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 | Active Cruise Control with Active Lane keeping assistant and Stop & Go function | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree 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 Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 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 5 Series & ES90 for sale
5 Series vs ES90 FAQ
Is the BMW 5 Series or Volvo ES90 better?
The Volvo ES90 is the stronger choice if charging suits your routine: it costs RM912 less, reaches 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, has 662 km range, nine airbags and a five-year warranty. Choose the BMW 5 Series for its larger boot and higher top speed.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 5 Series costs RM340,800 and the Volvo ES90 costs RM339,888. The BMW is RM912 more expensive.
Which car has the better warranty and charging capability?
The Volvo ES90 has a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty plus an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty. It supports 11 kW AC and 350 kW DC charging. The BMW 5 Series has a two-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
