Verdict
The RM428,888 EX90 costs RM10,000 more than the RM418,888 XC90, but brings a 106-kWh battery, 617 km EV range and a 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time against 7.7 seconds. That is a major performance and zero-tailpipe-emission advantage for Malaysian buyers able to charge regularly. The XC90 answers with a far lower RM428 annual road tax versus RM1,940, plus a more useful 451-litre boot against 310 litres. Both are locally assembled, all-wheel-drive seven-seat SUVs with the same 180 km/h top speed.
EX90
Pick the Volvo EX90 if 617 km of electric range, 350 kW DC charging and 4.2-second acceleration matter more than boot space and annual road tax.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you want the lower RM428 annual road tax and a 451-litre boot for RM10,000 less.
Key differences
- Price: Volvo EX90 RM428,888; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Road tax per year: Volvo EX90 RM1,940; Volvo XC90 RM428.
- Powertrain: Volvo EX90 has two motors producing 671 hp and 870 Nm; Volvo XC90 has a 249 hp 1,969 cc turbo mild-hybrid four-cylinder plus a 14 hp, 40 Nm motor.
- 0-100 km/h: Volvo EX90 4.2 seconds; Volvo XC90 7.7 seconds.
- Boot space: Volvo EX90 310 litres; Volvo XC90 451 litres.
- Safety and wheels: Volvo EX90 has nine airbags and 21-inch wheels; Volvo XC90 has seven airbags and 20-inch wheels.
EX90
- 106-kWh battery with 617 km EV range
- 671 hp and 870 Nm from two motors; 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds
- Nine airbags, 360-degree camera and powered doors
- RM1,940 annual road tax versus the XC90's RM428
- 310-litre boot is 141 litres smaller than the XC90's
- Heavier at 2,704 kg versus 2,350 kg
XC90
- RM10,000 lower purchase price and RM428 annual road tax
- 451-litre boot, 141 litres larger than the EX90's
- Manual rear-door shades and powered sunroof shade
- 0-100 km/h takes 7.7 seconds versus the EX90's 4.2 seconds
- Seven airbags versus the EX90's nine
- No stated EV range or DC charging capability, unlike the EX90's 617 km range and 350 kW DC rate
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM428,888 | RM418,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,940 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 800V 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 | 671 hp✓ | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | 870 Nm✓ | 40 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 106 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 617 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 350 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 | 4.2 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,037 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,964 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,747 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,985 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 2,704 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 310 litres | 451 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 265/45R21 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 295/40R21 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport EV VOL | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Active Air Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Active Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" 8-spoke Glossy Black Diamond-cut Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 21" 8-spoke Glossy Black Diamond-cut Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Active Chassis with Air Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 9 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front Center Airbag, 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 | Electric for Rear Doors | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer rear seats, with Integrated Booster Cushions | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection | Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Roof-mounted LiDAR removed on the CKD model (driver assistance functionality largely unchanged); dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processors | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto 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 | Powered and Ventilated Nappa Leather Seats with Massage | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50 | 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 | 2 USB-C Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 USB-C Middle Row, 2 USB-C Third Row | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System (1,600 watt) | 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 (Depress Brake to Start) | Keyless Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Steering Assist | Active Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View 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 Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 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 EX90 & XC90 for sale
EX90 vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Volvo EX90 or Volvo XC90 better?
The EX90 is better for electric driving, performance and charging capability, with 617 km range and a 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time. The XC90 is the more practical-cost choice, with a bigger 451-litre boot and much lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EX90 costs RM428,888 and the Volvo XC90 costs RM418,888, so the EX90 carries a RM10,000 premium.
Which Volvo is quicker, the EX90 or XC90?
The EX90 is decisively quicker: its two motors produce 671 hp and 870 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. The XC90 takes 7.7 seconds, though both are limited to 180 km/h.
