Top 5 luxury cars launching in Malaysia in 2023

2022 was a pretty great year for car sales in Malaysia. From mass-market hatchbacks and SUVs to luxury vehicles, all the segments witnessed positive trends all thanks to economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and SST exemption. Well, for 2023, we expect this momentum to continue further and thus we bring a list of the top 5 luxury car launches that are most likely to happen in 2023.

Maserati Grecale

The first ultra-luxury car on our list is the Maserati Grecale. A rival to the Porsche Macan, the Grecale made its Malaysian debut in June 2022, followed by the commencement of its pre-bookings. The upcoming Maserati SUV slots below the Levante in the local lineup and offers an amazingly compact package. 

Powering the top-spec Trofeo trim of the Maserati Grecale is a 3.0-litre V6 gasoline engine that kicks out 530 PS of maximum power and 620 Nm of peak torque. The engine is coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission, enabling the car to run from zero to 100 kmph in 3.8 seconds and clock a top speed of 285 kmph. 

Equipment kit of the luxury Italian SUV comprises a digital driver display, a 12.3-inch infotainment unit, an 8.8-inch touchpad for HVAC controls, a 21-speaker sound system, Maserati Connect telematics system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems.

BMW XM

The first-ever electrified SUV of the BMW Motorsport division is also ready to hit the local shores. BMW Malaysia has started accepting the pre-bookings for the SUV in October 2022 at an estimated pricing of RM 1,400,000 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM 820,000 for Langkawi. The price includes a 5-year extended warranty and service package.

The upcoming Beemer is equipped with a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine, an e-motor, and a 25.7-kWh battery. Together, the system produces a whooping power of 653 PS and a max torque of 800 Nm. The power is sent to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The SUV completes the century sprint in 4.3 seconds and hits a top speed of 270 kmph. 

Among the key features of the upcoming BMW XM are the largest-ever BMW's signature kidney front grilles, a 14.9-inch infotainment display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, an M leather steering wheel, multi-contour front seats, Harman Kardon surround sound system, four-zone climate control, and a full ADAS pack.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 

Hyundai Sime Darby Motors will bring a slew of new models in 2023, one of which is the Hyundai Ioniq 6. The luxury EV has recently been teased by the automaker on its social media handle with a “coming soon” tag. Globally unveiled in June 2022, the upcoming Ioniq 6 is likely to follow the Ioniq 5's positive reception in the local market.

Touted as an electrified streamliner, the top-spec version of the Hyundai EV underpins a dual-motor setup generating 320 PS and 605 Nm of torque. The motors are fed by a 77.4 kWh battery pack offering an all-electric range of 614 km (on the WLTP cycle).

The luxury electric car comes equipped with Parametric Pixel lights all around, two 12.0-inch displays, 64-colour ambient lighting, a compact climate control panel, and several other advanced creature comforts.

Volvo EX90 

After adding the C40 Recharge to the local lineup, Volvo seems to bring another EV to the local shores and that is the EX90. During the launch of the C40 Recharge, Volvo Cars Malaysia managing director Charles Frump introduced the EX90 in the local market through a video, which can be taken as a strong hint of its soon arrival in the country. Not to forget, the brand's target is to launch a pure electric car every year for the next five years.

The EX90 is kitted with Thor’s hammer headlamps, 22-inch aero-optimized wheels, a 14.5-inch central touchscreen with built-in Google OS, a digital driver’s display, ambient lighting, smartphone key function, and Bowers and Wilkins audio system. It is Volvo’s safest car ever and thus comes packed with a LIDAR system linked to several sensors, radars, and cameras; which can detect a range of up to 250 metres.

Under the skin of the EX90 lies a 408 PS dual-motor setup and a 111-kWh battery pack offering a 600 km drive between charging stops.

Toyota bZ4X

UMW Toyota Motor has confirmed the local arrival of the luxury electric SUV, the bZ4X, for 2023. The EV hails from the brand’s ‘beyond Zero’ series and underpins the e-TNGA platform, on which the Subaru Solterra EV is also based.

While the local specs of the upcoming Toyota bZ4X are not yet confirmed, the automaker sold the EV in two configurations in global markets. These include - an FWD single motor generating 204 PS and an AWD dual motor setup with a combined output of 218 PS. Both trims are linked to the same 71.4 kWh battery unit providing a total range of 460 km.

The feature list of the Toyota EV is likely to include LED headlights and tail lights, 20-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch display, a yoke-like steering wheel, a large infotainment unit (supporting enhanced voice-recognition, the latest connectivity, and OTA software updates), digital key, and Toyota Safety Sense.

Which of the above-mentioned luxury car models do you like the most? Tell us in the comments.

Also read: Top 10 car launches of 2022