Verdict
The Volvo ES90 is the more rational Malaysian executive EV at RM339,888, undercutting the Denza Z9 GT by RM28,802 while stretching its 92 kWh battery to 662 km and attracting RM395 annual road tax. The Denza answers with serious hardware: three motors, AWD, 1,140 hp and a 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time versus the Volvo’s 329 hp, RWD and 6.6 seconds. It is also the more practical five-door, with a 495-litre boot, but its 2,895 kg kerb weight, 600 km range and RM9,140 road tax demand commitment.
Z9 GT
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm, AWD performance and its 495-litre wagon boot matter more than running costs.
ES90
Pick the Volvo ES90 if you want 662 km of range, CKD assembly and dramatically lower RM395 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Denza Z9 GT RM368,690; Volvo ES90 RM339,888.
- Power and drive: Denza Z9 GT 1,140 hp, 1,210 Nm and AWD; Volvo ES90 329 hp, 480 Nm and RWD.
- 0-100 km/h: Denza Z9 GT 2.7 seconds; Volvo ES90 6.6 seconds.
- Battery and range: Denza Z9 GT 122.49 kWh and 600 km; Volvo ES90 92 kWh and 662 km.
- DC charging and V2L: Denza Z9 GT 1,500 kW and 4 kW V2L; Volvo ES90 350 kW and no V2L.
- Road tax and boot space: Denza Z9 GT RM9,140/year and 495 litres; Volvo ES90 RM395/year and 424 litres.
Z9 GT
- 1,140 hp tri-motor AWD and 2.7-second 0-100 km/h pace
- 495-litre boot and powered rear seats with extendable leg rests
- 4 kW V2L, e3 auto parking and front/rear fridges
- RM28,802 dearer and RM9,140 annual road tax versus RM395
- 600 km range trails the ES90's 662 km
- 2,895 kg kerb weight is 485 kg heavier
ES90
- 662 km EV range from a 92 kWh battery
- RM395 annual road tax and RM28,802 lower purchase price
- 25-speaker, 1,650-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio and contactless powered boot
- 329 hp and 480 Nm fall far short of the Denza's 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm
- 6.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.9 seconds slower
- 424-litre boot is 71 litres smaller and there is no V2L
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,690 | RM339,888✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | Sedan |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM9,140 | RM395✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) | 800V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 3 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 1,140 hp✓ | 329 hp |
| Motor Torque | 1,210 Nm✓ | 480 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 122.49 kWh✓ | 92 kWh |
| EV Range | 600 km | 662 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 1,500 kW✓ | 350 kW |
| V2L | 4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 2.7 seconds✓ | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,180 mm | 5,000 mm |
| Width | 1,990 mm | 1,942 mm |
| Height | 1,490 mm | 1,546 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 3,102 mm |
| Weight | 2,895 kg | 2,410 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 495 litres✓ | 424 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R20 | 245/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R20 | 275/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Pirelli P Zero E VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (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 | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 21" Diamond-cut Five-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension | Active Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) | 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 | Electric for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Outer Two 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 Projectors | 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 Ventilation, Memory and Massaging | Power Adjustable Nappa Leather Front Seats with Ventilation (Charcoal or Cardamom, Birch Wood Decor) |
| Rear Seats | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests | 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 | Panoramic Sunroof | Fixed Glass Roof, Adjustable Opacity |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear | 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | — |
| Audio | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen | 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 Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | 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 |
| Auto Parking | Yes, e3 Parking | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | All Doors | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Front and Rear Fridges | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage Battery Warranty | 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 Z9 GT & ES90 for sale
Z9 GT vs ES90 FAQ
Is the Denza Z9 GT or Volvo ES90 better?
The Volvo ES90 is the better daily-use choice on range, purchase price and road tax. Choose the Denza Z9 GT only if its 1,140 hp tri-motor AWD drivetrain, 2.7-second sprint and larger 495-litre boot are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM368,690 and the Volvo ES90 costs RM339,888, so the Denza is RM28,802 more expensive.
Which has the longer electric range?
The Volvo ES90 has the longer claimed EV range at 662 km, compared with 600 km for the Denza Z9 GT. That is a 62 km advantage despite the Volvo using a smaller 92 kWh battery versus 122.49 kWh.
