Verdict
At RM425,800, the BMW iX costs RM6,912 more than the RM418,888 Volvo XC90, but it is the clear choice for buyers able to charge at home or on their regular route: its 100.6-kWh battery, 602-km EV range and 175-kW DC charging are backed by 402 hp and 700 Nm. The XC90 answers with seven seats, a 71-litre petrol tank and a five-year warranty. It is the more practical family carrier, while the iX is quicker by 2.6 seconds to 100 km/h and carries 49 litres more luggage.
Pick the BMW iX if five seats are enough and you want 602 km of electric range, 700 Nm and a 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time.
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, integrated second-row booster seats and the reassurance of a 71-litre petrol tank.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX RM425,800; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Powertrain: BMW iX has two motors producing 402 hp and 700 Nm; Volvo XC90 has a 1,969-cc turbo mild-hybrid inline-four with 249 hp and 350 Nm.
- Acceleration: BMW iX 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds; Volvo XC90 in 7.7 seconds.
- Seating and boot: BMW iX has 5 seats and 500 litres; Volvo XC90 has 7 seats and 451 litres.
- Energy storage: BMW iX has a 100.6-kWh battery and 602-km EV range; Volvo XC90 has a 71-litre fuel tank.
- Warranty: BMW iX has a 2-year manufacturer warranty; Volvo XC90 has a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
iX
- 602-km EV range from a 100.6-kWh battery.
- 402 hp, 700 Nm and 5.1-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- 500-litre boot, head-up display and auto parking.
- Only five seats versus the XC90's seven.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus five years.
- Heavier at 2,525 kg versus 2,350 kg.
XC90
- Seven seats, including integrated booster seats in the second row.
- Five-year manufacturer warranty.
- Seven airbags and a lower RM428 annual road tax.
- Slower 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.1 seconds.
- 451-litre boot is 49 litres smaller.
- No EV range or AC/DC charging capability.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM425,800 | RM418,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 249 hp at 5,400 rpm |
| Torque | — | 350 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp✓ | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm✓ | 40 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 100.6 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 602 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 175 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 | 5.1 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,965 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,525 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R21 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R21 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero E | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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 Two Outer Rear Passenger 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 | LED Projector with High Beam Assist | 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 Front Seats with 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 | 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 | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & 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 | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon 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 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| 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 | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Intelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included | — |
| 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 | 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 iX & XC90 for sale
iX vs XC90 FAQ
Is the BMW iX or Volvo XC90 better?
The BMW iX is better for electric driving, performance and luggage space, with 602 km of range, 700 Nm and a 500-litre boot. The Volvo XC90 is better for larger families because it has seven seats, a 71-litre fuel tank and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX costs RM6,912 more than the Volvo XC90.
Which one is better for a seven-seat family?
The Volvo XC90 is the only seven-seater here. It has second-row 40:20:40 folding seats with integrated booster seats on the outer positions and a 50:50 third row; the BMW iX has five seats.