Car Buyer's Guide

BMW iX vs Volvo XC90

BMW iX

BMW iX

Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90

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.

iX

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.

XC90

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
PriceRM425,800RM418,888✓
Body typeSUVSUV
SegmentExecutiveExecutive
AssemblyCBUCKD
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM545RM428✓
Powertrain
Engine Tech5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture16-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
FuelElectricPetrol Hybrid/REV
Bore × Stroke—82 mm × 93.2 mm
Compression Ratio—10.3
Number of Motors21
Motor Horsepower402 hp✓14 hp
Motor Torque700 Nm✓40 Nm
Battery Capacity100.6 kWh—
EV Range602 km—
Charging Rate (AC)22 kW—
Charging Rate (DC)175 kW—
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticConventional Automatic
Transmission Name—8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic
Gears—8
Transmission Manufacturer—Volvo
DrivelineAll Wheel DriveAll Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h5.1 seconds✓7.7 seconds
Top Speed200 km/h✓180 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,965 mm4,950 mm
Width1,970 mm1,958 mm
Height1,695 mm1,776 mm
Wheelbase3,000 mm2,984 mm
Weight2,525 kg2,350 kg
Fuel Tank—71 litres
Doors55
Seats57
Boot Space500 litres✓451 litres
Front Tyre255/50R21275/45R20
Rear Tyre255/50R21275/45R20
Spare TyreN/A, Tyre Repair KitN/A, Tyre Repair Kit
Factory TyresPirelli P Zero E—
Chassis
AssemblyGermany (CBU)Malaysia (CKD)
Front SuspensionDouble Wishbones with Air SuspensionDouble Wishbones with Air Suspension
Rear SuspensionMulti-link with Air SuspensionMulti-link with Air Suspension
Front Wheels21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy
Rear Wheels21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Safety
Airbags6 (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 LockManual For Rear DoorsElectric for rear doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point7 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System✓✓
ISOFIXAvailable for Two Outer Rear Passenger SeatsAvailable on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters
Autonomous Braking SystemYesYes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning✓✓
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsFor All Seats
Lighting
HeadlampsLED Projector with High Beam AssistDynamic LED Projectors with Auto High Beam
TaillampsFull LEDFull LED
LED Daytime Running Lights✓✓
Rear Foglamps✓✓
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators✓✓
Cabin
Front SeatsPowered Front Seats with Memory FunctionPower Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation
Rear Seats60:40 Split-foldingSecond row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control System
Rear Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
SunroofPanoramic Glass RoofPanoramic, Front Tilt and Slide
Power Sockets1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear—
Interior LightingMap Lights & Ambient LightsMap Lights and Ambient Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row
Sun Shade—Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade
Audio14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti PinchFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless Push ButtonKeyless Knob Twist
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Operation
Auto Start/Stop—✓
Auto Headlamps✓✓
Auto Wipers✓✓
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise ControlActive Cruise Control
Steering Audio Control✓✓
Steering Tilt✓✓
Steering Telescopic✓✓
Electric Steering Adjustment✓✓
Boot OperationContactless Opening, Powered BootPowered Boot, Contactless Opening
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors—
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors—
Reverse CameraYes, 360-degree View MonitorYes, with 360 Surround View Camera
Auto ParkingYes—
Folding Wing Mirrors✓✓
Bluetooth✓✓
Navigation✓✓
Head-up Display✓—
Hill Start Assist✓✓
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Convenience NotesIntelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included—
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimitedUnlimited
Warranty Mileage ExtendedUnlimited—
Warranty Manufacturer2 years5 years✓
Warranty Extended3 years—
Warranty Notes8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty8-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.

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.

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