BMW 3 Series vs Volvo ES90
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Aug 2026, price 25 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$94,700RRP
- no option data for this car
$88,880RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
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 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The BMW 3 Series does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
BMW 3 Series
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006667 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, moisture may be able to enter the starter motor causing corrosion and result in the engine not starting.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2020
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- 6 more on the model page.
Volvo ES90
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
107kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 300kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 300kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
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, power tailgate and ambient lighting. 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.
Drivetrain
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 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW 3 Series is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
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.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 12.0m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
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.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 3 Series if: You need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volvo ES90 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Volvo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Volvo ES90: Top CarSorted Score, 69 vs 68
The Volvo ES90 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (69 vs 68), taking 2 of 4 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: safety (Volvo ES90 ahead by 6), fuel economy (BMW 3 Series ahead by 5), value (Volvo ES90 ahead by 4). If boot space matters, the BMW 3 Series has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW 3 Series and Volvo ES90?
The Volvo ES90 is the cheapest at $88,880 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW 3 Series by $5,820.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW 3 Series uses the least fuel at 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of BMW 3 Series and Volvo ES90 carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW 3 Series has the largest boot at 480L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 3 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volvo ES90 makes the most power at 245kW. The BMW 3 Series is quickest to 100km/h in 5.8s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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