Compare the2022 Volvo XC40 RechargeVS 2022 BMW X5 xDrive45e

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC40 Recharge have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC40 Recharge are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the XC40 Recharge and X5 xDrive45e have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC40 Recharge has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The X5 xDrive45e’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The XC40 Recharge has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the XC40 Recharge and the X5 xDrive45e have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC40 Recharge its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 77 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X5 xDrive45e is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XC40 Recharge third among small premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The X5 xDrive45e isn’t in the top three in its category.

The XC40 Recharge’s electric motors produce 13 more horsepower (402 vs. 389) and 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (486 vs. 443) than the X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the XC40 Recharge gets better mileage than the X5 xDrive45e running on electricity (92 city/79 hwy vs. 47 city/54 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the XC40 Recharge gets better mileage than the X5 xDrive45e running its gasoline engine (92 city/79 hwy MPGe vs. 19 city/22 hwy).

The XC40 Recharge’s maximum EPA estimated driving range is 223 miles on a full charge. The X5 xDrive45e can only travel about 31 miles before it has to start its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volvo XC40 Recharge higher (10 out of 10) than the BMW X5 xDrive45e (7). This means the XC40 Recharge produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X5 xDrive45e every 15,000 miles.

For better maneuverability, the XC40 Recharge’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the X5 xDrive45e’s (37.4 feet vs. 41.4 feet).

The Volvo XC40 Recharge may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 pounds less than the BMW X5 xDrive45e.

The XC40 Recharge is 1 foot, 8.1 inches shorter than the X5 xDrive45e, making the XC40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC40 Recharge is 5.6 inches narrower than the X5 xDrive45e, making the XC40 Recharge easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The design of the Volvo XC40 Recharge amounts to more than styling. The XC40 Recharge has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .329 Cd. That is lower than the X5 xDrive45e (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the XC40 Recharge get better fuel mileage.

The XC40 Recharge has 1.1 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear headroom than the X5 xDrive45e.

The front step up height for the XC40 Recharge is 1.8 inches lower than the X5 xDrive45e (17.7” vs. 19.5”). The XC40 Recharge’s rear step up height is 1.8 inches lower than the X5 xDrive45e’s (18.2” vs. 20”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the XC40 Recharge easier. The XC40 Recharge’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the X5 xDrive45e’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The XC40 Recharge’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5 xDrive45e’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC40 Recharge uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC40 Recharge has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X5 xDrive45e only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC40 Recharge offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volvo XC40 Recharge offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The X5 xDrive45e doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the XC40 Recharge owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XC40 Recharge will cost $2100 less than the X5 xDrive45e over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volvo XC40 Recharge will be $9643 less than for the BMW X5 xDrive45e.