BMW 3 Series vs Volvo ES90

The BMW 3 Series starts from $94,700 before on-road costs, while the Volvo ES90 opens at $88,880. That makes the Volvo ES90 the more affordable entry point by $5,820.

Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $104,170 and $97,768 respectively.

The Volvo ES90 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The BMW 3 Series, as a petrol model, does not qualify.

ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.

The BMW 3 Series features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volvo ES90 gets a 14.5-inch display and 9-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Volvo ES90 counters with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting that the BMW 3 Series does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the BMW 3 Series gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Volvo ES90 offers nordico fabric. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW 3 Series and 4-zone in the Volvo ES90.

The BMW 3 Series uses a Petrol producing 190kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.8 seconds.

The Volvo ES90 responds with a Electric making 245kW and 480Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds.

The Volvo ES90 has the clear power advantage at 245kW vs 190kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW 3 Series is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

The BMW 3 Series measures 4,713mm long on a 2,851mm wheelbase, 287mm shorter than the Volvo ES90 at 5,000mm (3,102mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volvo ES90 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 480L in the BMW 3 Series and 424L in the Volvo ES90, giving the BMW 3 Series a 56L advantage.

For towing, the Volvo ES90 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.

Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 3 Series) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volvo ES90). Both match on warranty length.