Compare the2022 BMW X3VS 2021 Volvo V60

The BMW X3 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 V60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The V60 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the X3 and the V60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Volvo V60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Volvo V60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 20th in initial quality. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th.

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 X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 132 more horsepower (382 vs. 250) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the V60 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the V60 T5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Volvo only offers a regenerative brake system on the V60 T8.

Both the X3 and the V60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All X3s 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 V60.

The X3’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the V60 (17.2 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X3 M40i’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the V60 (17.7 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The X3 M40i’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 V60 doesn’t offer launch control.

The X3 stops much shorter than the V60:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the V60 (245/50R19 vs. 235/45R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V60 (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 235/45R18).

The X3’s optional 275/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the V60’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the V60. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the V60.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The V60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The V60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the X3 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V60, 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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the V60.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .85 G’s, while the V60 Momentum pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the V60 Momentum (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the V60 (8 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the X3 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The V60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X3 has 7.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the V60 (101.4 vs. 94).

The X3 has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the V60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The V60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the V60 with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 23.2 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the V60 with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 50.9 cubic feet).

The X3’s cargo area is larger than the V60’s in almost every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The V60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the V60’s (4400 vs. 2000 pounds).

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X3 has standard extendable sun visors. The V60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X3 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The V60 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The V60’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Insurance will cost less for the X3 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X3 with a number “5” insurance rate while the V60 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

The X3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X3 will retain 48.8% to 50.86% of its original price after five years, while the V60 only retains 42.19% to 43.68%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X3 is less expensive to operate than the V60 because typical repairs cost much less on the X3 than the V60, including $263 less for a fuel pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X3 will be $94 to $16303 less than for the Volvo V60.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X3 outsold the Volvo 60 Series by over five to one during the 2021 model year.