VS
At a Glance
Power
442 kW
245 kW
Torque
795 Nm
480 Nm
Fuel
17.1 kWh/100km l/100km
13.5-18.5 kWh/100 km l/100km
Towing
1600 Kg
1600 Kg
0-100 km/h
3.7 s
6.6 s
Engine
electric cc
electric cc
Choosing between the BMW i4 and the Volvo ES90 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW i4 delivers 442 kW while the Volvo ES90 produces 245 kW. On fuel, the i4 returns 17.1 kWh/100km l/100km while the ES90 uses 13.5-18.5 kWh/100 km l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 750 000 for the i4 and R1 795 000 for the ES90. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
442 kW
245 kW
Torque
795 Nm
480 Nm
0-100 kph
3.7 s
6.6 s
Top Speed
225 Km/h
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
electric cc
Fuel Type
electric
electric
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
—
Drive Wheels
all
rear
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
17.1 kWh/100km l/100km
13.5-18.5 kWh/100 km l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
83.9 kWh l
92 kWh l
CO2 Emissions
—
—
Dimensions
Length
4783 mm
5000 mm
Width
1852-2073 mm
1942-2120 mm
Height
1448 mm
1550 mm
Wheelbase
2856 mm
3102 mm
Ground Clearance
125 mm
—
Kerb Weight
2210 DIN / 2285 EU Kg
2410 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
470-1290 l
446 / 1427 + 27 front l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1600 Kg
1600 Kg
Load Capacity
520 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
7
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
Optional
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Optional
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
—
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
Optional
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Tow Bar
Optional
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
2 vehicle / 8 battery
5 vehicle / 8 battery
Warranty Distance
unlimited vehicle / 100000 battery Km
100000 vehicle / 160000 battery Km
Service Intervals
service interval indicator
30000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BMW i4
2 / 4 categories
Performance
i4
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
i4
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
BMW i4
More powerful engine (442 kW)
Lower starting price (R1 750 000)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (3.7 ss)
Few notable weaknesses
Volvo ES90
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (245 kW vs 442 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the i4 or ES90?
The i4 uses 17.1 kWh/100km l/100km and the ES90 uses 13.5-18.5 kWh/100 km l/100km on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the i4 or ES90?
The i4 produces 442 kW and 795 Nm of torque while the ES90 delivers 245 kW and 480 Nm of torque. The i4 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the i4 and ES90?
The i4 starts from R1 750 000 and the ES90 from R1 795 000. The i4 is cheaper by R45 000 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the i4 or ES90?
The i4 has a braked towing capacity of 1600 Kg and the ES90 can tow 1600 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the i4 or the ES90?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.