The premium segment is split between the SUV and sedan - Do I buy a Volvo XC60 T8 SUV or a BMW 530e sedan?

With the growing popularity for SUVs in the luxury segment, we look at two very similarly priced vehicles, one an SUV and another is a sedan and share some insights on which makes better sense to buy this January 2022. So, we start with the recently launched BMW 530e plugin hybrid with a sleeker nose treatment and some added zest in the visual department. 

Powering this RM 343,800.00 BMW 530e Sport is the current generation inline 4-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo 2-litre petrol engine which generates 184 hp and 320 Nm of torque.

With BMW management promising to phase out their petrol-driven engines in a few years, there was no need to develop a new engine and instead, just refresh the looks to keep buyers interested.

Combined with the BMW eDrive system’s state-of-the-art electric motor, this BMW 530e Sport has an overall system output (petrol and hybrid power combined) of 252 hp and 420 Nm of torque, enabling the car to sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.2 seconds.

With a top speed of 235kmph, this BMW 530e Sport enjoys segment-leading figures of consuming only 2.0 litres per 100 km of fuel when driven with less enthusiasm and has a claimed low CO2 emission of 46 grams per km.

The electric drive boasts powerful efficiency with its combination of electric motor, lithium-ion high-performance battery, and intelligent energy management. Intelligent energy management optimises the effectiveness of the electric drivetrain and the high-performance battery with a predictive operating strategy. This means you can enjoy this plugin hybrid without having to ‘charge’ the battery system often. So if you live in a terrace house or condominium, this 530e can be used like any other petrol-only powered car.

This BMW 530e Sport offers an all-electric driving range of up to 48 km when fully charged with a maximum speed of up to 140 kmph which is claimed best in its segment.

The engines in the RM 343,888.00 Volvo XC60 T8 are 2.0-litre, four-cylinder units, including T5 petrol and a T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid that combines a potent Geely Group co-developed petrol engine with an electric motor. Yes, Geely owns Volvo and they share technology across the range of models.

This T8 Twin Engine offers an unrivalled mix of performance and efficiency. The T8 Twin Engine combines a turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine with an electric motor that independently drives the rear axle to produce an impressive combined output of an impressive 407 hp (320 hp internal combustion engine + 87 hp electric motor) and 640 Nm (400 Nm internal combustion engine + 240 Nm electric motor) of torque.

The performance figures translate to a standstill to 100 kmph sprint of only 5.3 seconds and a very efficient claimed 2.1 litres of fuel consumed for every 100 km travelled and a pure electric range of 45 km (NEDC Hybrid Combined Cycle) from a 10.4 kWh hybrid battery which is centrally located in the tunnel of the car.

So, we see an almost equally similar selling price for both vehicles. Yes, one is a luxury sedan and the other is a luxury SUV. However, customers today seem to prefer the SUV body style over a sedan.

Look closer and you will notice the bhp and torque of the Volvo XC60 is much higher than the BMW 530e. The fuel consumption figure for the Volvo stands at 0.1 litres per 100 km more than the BMW 530e…this is just a smidgen more and might not matter to the well-to-do buyer in Malaysia.

The ‘electric only’ driving time for the Volvo XC60 is however 3 km less than the BMW 530e in best driving circumstances.

Both brands offer a 5-year warranty and a strong dealer network to ensure your preferred buy will keep you happy and your plugin hybrid ownership trouble-free. 

Now all that is left is for you to visit both brand showrooms for a test drive on the same day to make a better purchase decision on which vehicle offers the best value and driving dynamics.

So, now that you have the relevant facts, your decision to purchase lies in the badge branding and your preferred body style. 

Also read: Will we get an electric car for the mass population?