Compare the2019 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2018 Volvo S60 Cross Country

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional Side and Top View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The S60 Cross Country only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the S60 Cross Country have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and blind spot warning systems.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

The battery on the 4 Series Gran Coupe is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The S60 Cross Country’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe first among compact premium cars in their 2017 Initial Quality Study. The S60 Cross Country isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2017 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 6th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 18 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The 430i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 8 more horsepower (248 vs. 240) than the S60 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The 440i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl. produces 82 more horsepower (322 vs. 240) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 258) than the S60 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

On the EPA test cycle the 430i Gran Coupe xDrive gets better fuel mileage than the S60 Cross Country (23 city/33 hwy vs. 22 city/30 hwy).

For better stopping power the 440i Gran Coupe’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S60 Cross Country:

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the S60 Cross Country are solid, not vented.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S60 Cross Country’s standard 50 series tires. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the S60 Cross Country’s optional 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 4 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S60 Cross Country doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The S60 Cross Country’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The S60 Cross Country’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the S60 Cross Country (110.6 inches vs. 109.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the S60 Cross Country’s (37.1 feet vs. 37.8 feet).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has .6 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more rear legroom than the S60 Cross Country.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a larger trunk with its rear seat up than the S60 Cross Country (17 vs. 35 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The S60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

The engine in the 4 Series Gran Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S60 Cross Country. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The S60 Cross Country doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 15% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 14th.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The S60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the 4 Series Gran Coupe the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the S60 Cross Country can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The S60 Cross Country doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Volvo S60 Cross Country isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the 4 Series Gran Coupe owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the 4 Series Gran Coupe with a number “1” insurance rate while the S60 Cross Country is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 4 Series Gran Coupe will retain 44.99% to 47.5% of its original price after five years, while the S60 Cross Country only retains 41.29%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is less expensive to operate than the S60 Cross Country because typical repairs cost much less on the 4 Series Gran Coupe than the S60 Cross Country, including $180 less for fuel injection and $334 less for a fuel pump.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe third among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The S60 Cross Country isn’t in the top three.

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2014. The S60 Cross Country has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2014. The S60 hasn’t been picked since 2011.

The BMW 4 Series outsold the Volvo 60 Series by over two to one during 2017.