Compare the2022 BMW X7VS 2022 Volvo XC90

The BMW X7 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 XC90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X7. But it costs extra on the XC90.

Both the X7 and the XC90 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 and available around view monitors.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X7’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 X7’s reliability 20 points higher than the XC90.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X7 third among large premium suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The XC90 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 X7 has more powerful engines than the XC90:

As tested in Consumer Reports the X7 xDrive40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the XC90 T6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X7’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Volvo only offers a regenerative brake system on the XC90 T8.

Both the X7 and the XC90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All X7s 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 XC90.

The X7 has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X7 has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90’s standard fuel tank (21.9 vs. 18.8 gallons).

The X7’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 XC90 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X7 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC90:

The X7 stops much shorter than the XC90:

For better traction, the X7 has larger standard tires than the XC90 (F:275/40R22 & R:315/35R22 vs. 235/55R19). The Alpina XB7’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC90 (F:285/35R23 & R:325/30R23 vs. 275/45R20).

The X7’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 XC90’s standard 55 series tires. The Alpina XB7’s optional 325/30R23 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the XC90’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the XC90. The Alpina XB7’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the XC90.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC90 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X7 Alpina 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 XC90 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the X7 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XC90, which uses coil springs in front and transverse leafs springs in the rear. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Alpina XB7 offers an available adjustable 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 XC90.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X7’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the XC90 (122.2 inches vs. 117.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X7 is .5 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the XC90.

The X7 handles at .80 G’s, while the XC90 T6 AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X7 xDrive40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC90 T6 AWD (26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The front grille of the X7 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X7 has 3 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom, 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room, .3 inches more third row headroom, 1.4 inches more third row legroom and 1 inch more third row shoulder room than the XC90.

The X7’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC90.

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the X7’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The XC90 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The X7’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC90’s (5950 vs. 4000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC90 AWD is only 5000 pounds. The X7 offers up to a 7500 lbs. towing capacity.

The X7 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the XC90 (1254 vs. 1210 lbs.).

The engine in the X7 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the X7 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 XC90.

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.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the XC90, the X7 offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X7’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC90’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The X7 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XC90 doesn’t offer a locking fuel/charge port door.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X7 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The X7 has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Volvo doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the XC90.

The X7 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the XC90.

The X7’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC90 R-Design/Inscription’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC90 isn't recommended.