VS
At a Glance
Power
285 kW
245 kW
Torque
500 Nm
480 Nm
Fuel
8.0 l/100km
13.5-18.5 kWh/100 km l/100km
Towing
1800 Kg
1600 Kg
0-100 km/h
4.5 s
6.6 s
Engine
2998 cc
electric cc
Choosing between the BMW 4 Series and the Volvo ES90 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The BMW 4 Series delivers 285 kW while the Volvo ES90 produces 245 kW. On fuel, the 4 Series returns 8.0 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 512 107 for the 4 Series 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
285 kW
245 kW
Torque
500 Nm
480 Nm
0-100 kph
4.5 s
6.6 s
Top Speed
250 Km/h
180 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2998 cc
electric cc
Engine Layout
inline
—
Cylinders
6
—
Fuel Type
petrol
electric
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
8
—
Drive Wheels
all
rear
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
8.0 l/100km
13.5-18.5 kWh/100 km l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
59 l
92 kWh l
CO2 Emissions
182 g/km
—
Dimensions
Length
4770 mm
5000 mm
Width
1852-2081 mm
1942-2120 mm
Height
1393 mm
1550 mm
Wheelbase
2851 mm
3102 mm
Ground Clearance
129 mm
—
Kerb Weight
1735 DIN / 1810 EU Kg
2410 Kg
Doors
2
5
Seats
4
5
Load Volume
440 l
446 / 1427 + 27 front l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
1800 Kg
1600 Kg
Load Capacity
485 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
5 vehicle / 8 battery
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
100000 vehicle / 160000 battery Km
Service Intervals
service interval indicator / 20000 km
30000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
BMW 4 Series
3 / 4 categories
Performance
4 Series
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
4 Series
Practicality
4 Series
Pros & Cons
BMW 4 Series
More powerful engine (285 kW)
Lower starting price (R1 512 107)
Higher towing capacity (1800 Kg)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (4.5 ss)
Few notable weaknesses
Volvo ES90
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (245 kW vs 285 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the 4 Series or ES90?
The 4 Series uses 8.0 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 4 Series or ES90?
The 4 Series produces 285 kW and 500 Nm of torque while the ES90 delivers 245 kW and 480 Nm of torque. The 4 Series is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the 4 Series and ES90?
The 4 Series starts from R1 512 107 and the ES90 from R1 795 000. The 4 Series is cheaper by R282 893 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the 4 Series or ES90?
The 4 Series has a braked towing capacity of 1800 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 4 Series 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.