Verdict
The RM12,088 gap takes you from the BMW X4’s five-seat, 4,751-mm compact executive SUV format to the Volvo XC90’s seven-seat, 4,950-mm executive SUV body. The BMW is the driver’s choice on the numbers: its 249 hp/350 Nm 2.0-litre reaches 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, 1.4 seconds ahead of the Volvo despite identical peak outputs. But the XC90 brings a 14 hp/40 Nm mild-hybrid motor, air suspension, active cruise control and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. For Malaysian family duty, the Volvo’s extra two seats and 120-mm longer wheelbase matter more than the BMW’s 74-litre boot-space advantage.
X4
Pick the BMW X4 if you want the quicker 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time, a lighter 1,890-kg kerb weight and a larger 525-litre boot in a more compact body.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if seven seats, air suspension, active cruise control and five years of unlimited-mileage warranty justify paying RM12,088 more.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X4 RM406,800; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Performance: BMW X4 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and 240 km/h; Volvo XC90 7.7 seconds and 180 km/h.
- Seating and boot: BMW X4 has 5 seats and 525 litres; Volvo XC90 has 7 seats and 451 litres.
- Dimensions: BMW X4 is 4,751 mm long on a 2,864-mm wheelbase; Volvo XC90 is 4,950 mm long on a 2,984-mm wheelbase.
- Weight and fuel tank: BMW X4 weighs 1,890 kg with a 65-litre tank; Volvo XC90 weighs 2,350 kg with a 71-litre tank.
- Warranty: BMW X4 has 2 years unlimited mileage; Volvo XC90 has 5 years unlimited mileage plus an 8-year/160,000-km hybrid-battery warranty.
X4
- Quicker 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time and 240 km/h top speed.
- 525-litre boot is 74 litres larger.
- 460 kg lighter and 199 mm shorter than the XC90.
- Only five seats versus the XC90’s seven.
- Two-year warranty is three years shorter.
- Lacks the XC90’s active cruise control, 360-degree camera and front-seat ventilation.
XC90
- Seven seats, including a 50:50 third row and integrated outer-second-row boosters.
- Air suspension at both axles and active cruise control.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, plus 8-year/160,000-km hybrid-battery cover.
- 1.4 seconds slower to 100 km/h and limited to 180 km/h, against 240 km/h for the X4.
- 451-litre boot is 74 litres smaller.
- Costs RM12,088 more and weighs 460 kg more.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM406,800✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with Twin-Scroll Turbocharger, Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 249 hp at 5,200 rpm | 249 hp at 5,400 rpm |
| Torque | 350 Nm at 1,450 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 40 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8 Speed Steptronic Sport Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Volvo |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.3 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 8.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | 192 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,751 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,918 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,621 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,864 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,890 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 65 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 525 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R21 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 275/35R21 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Run-flat | — |
| 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 | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 726 M 2-tone Multi-spoke Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Suspension | — |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 60 km/h) | 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 |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Collision Prevention | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Automatic 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function and Bolster Adjustment | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 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 | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting (6 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen BMW Operating System 7.0 with iDrive Touch Controller, Voice Control and 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (464 Watts) | 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 with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | 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, Parallel and Perpendicular | — |
| 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 | Auto-dimming Mirrors | — |
| 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 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 X4 & XC90 for sale
X4 vs XC90 FAQ
Is the BMW X4 or Volvo XC90 better?
The X4 is better for outright performance and boot space, reaching 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds with 525 litres behind the rear seats. The XC90 is better for larger families because it has seven seats, air suspension and a five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC90 costs RM418,888, which is RM12,088 more than the BMW X4 at RM406,800.
Which is faster, the BMW X4 or Volvo XC90?
The BMW X4 is faster: 0-100 km/h takes 6.3 seconds versus 7.7 seconds for the Volvo XC90, and its top speed is 240 km/h versus 180 km/h. Both produce 249 hp and 350 Nm.
