Volvo ES90 vs BMW i4
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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.
Track the Volvo ES90 & BMW i4
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. No dealer spin, unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Volvo ES90 starts from $88,880 before on-road costs, while the BMW i4 opens at $88,900. That makes the Volvo ES90 the more affordable entry point by $20.
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 $97,768 and $97,790 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
Both the Volvo ES90 and BMW i4 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Volvo ES90 and 6 in the BMW i4. The Volvo ES90 adds a 360-degree camera that the BMW i4 misses.
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 usableAC charging · to 100%
Power point
10A wall socket · 2.4kW
Caravan socket
15A · 3.6kW
Home wallbox
single-phase 7kW · 7.4kW
Three-phase AC
11–22kW · 11kW
DC fast charging · to 80%
Public 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.
How long to charge
80.7kWh usableAC charging · to 100%
Power point
10A wall socket · 2.4kW
Caravan socket
15A · 3.6kW
Home wallbox
single-phase 7kW · 7.4kW
Three-phase AC
11–22kW · 11kW
DC fast charging · to 80%
Public DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 205kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 205kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Volvo ES90 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 9-inch digital dash, while the BMW i4 gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volvo ES90 stands out with ambient lighting that you will not find on the BMW i4. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Volvo ES90 gets nordico fabric upholstery while the BMW i4 offers sensatec synthetic leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the Volvo ES90 and 2-zone in the BMW i4.
Drivetrain
The Volvo ES90 uses a Electric producing 245kW and 480Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.9 seconds.
The BMW i4 responds with a Electric making 210kW and 400Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds.
The Volvo ES90 has the clear power advantage at 245kW vs 210kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW i4 is 1.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 92kWh (Volvo ES90) vs 64kWh (BMW i4), giving WLTP ranges of 554km and 527km. DC fast charging peaks at 300kW (Volvo ES90) vs 205kW (BMW i4).
Space & Comfort
The Volvo ES90 measures 5,000mm long on a 3,102mm wheelbase, 217mm longer than the BMW i4 at 4,783mm (2,856mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volvo ES90 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 424L in the Volvo ES90 and 390L in the BMW i4, giving the Volvo ES90 a 34L advantage.
For towing, the Volvo ES90 leads with a 2,400kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 800kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.1m to 11.8m
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
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 (Volvo ES90) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW i4). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volvo ES90 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Volvo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW i4 if: You or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volvo ES90 takes 8 of 9 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Volvo ES90 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, Volvo ES90 and BMW i4?
The Volvo ES90 is the cheapest at $88,880 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW i4 by $20.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Volvo ES90 has the most range at 554km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Volvo ES90 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 300kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Volvo ES90 and BMW i4 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volvo ES90 has the largest boot at 424L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volvo ES90 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,400kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volvo ES90 makes the most power at 245kW. The BMW i4 is quickest to 100km/h in 5.5s.
Get ahead of your next car
Join free for new-car launches, news, reviews and buying guides. The independent take on what's new in Australia and what's actually worth buying, no dealer spin. Plus early access and founding-member pricing on the upcoming CarSorted Pro Report. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
