Compare the2022 BMW 8 Series Gran CoupeVS 2022 Volvo S90

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The S90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the 8 Series Gran Coupe and the S90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s reliability 33 points higher than the S90.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 8 Series Gran Coupe first among large premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The S90 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 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 18th in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 6 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The 840i Gran Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 19 more horsepower (335 vs. 316) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 295) than the S90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid. The M850i Gran Coupe’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 123 more horsepower (523 vs. 400) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 472) than the S90 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the 840i Gran Coupe 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder is faster than the S90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

Both the 8 Series Gran Coupe and the S90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All 8 Series Gran Coupes have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the S90.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 (18 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S90 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 8 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S90:

For better traction and acceleration, the 8 Series Gran Coupe has larger rear tires than the S90 (275/35R19 vs. 245/45R18). The 840i Gran Coupe’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the S90 (275/35R19 vs. 255/35R20).

The 840i Gran Coupe’s standard 245/40R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S90’s standard 45 series tires. The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the S90’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 840i Gran Coupe has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S90.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 8 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 S90 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The S90’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M850i has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The S90 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the 8 Series Gran Coupe uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The M850i Gran Coupe offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the S90.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 8 Series Gran Coupe is 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the S90.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the S90 T6 Inscription pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 840i Gran Coupe xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the S90 T6 Inscription (25.1 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

The front grille of the 8 Series Gran Coupe uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the S90 (15.5 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The S90 Luxury Package doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The engine in the 8 Series Gran Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the 8 Series Gran Coupe to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspection based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the S90.

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 3% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 11th.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the S90.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s available Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S90’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Volvo S90 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 8 Series Gran Coupe will retain 44.62% to 45.08% of its original price after five years, while the S90 only retains 34.68% to 35.58%.