Compare the2022 Volvo XC40 RechargeVS 2021 BMW X3 xDrive30e

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 X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the XC40 Recharge and X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e’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.

Both the XC40 Recharge and the X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e has not been fully tested, yet.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XC40 Recharge third among small premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The X3 xDrive30e isn’t in the top three in its category.

The XC40 Recharge’s electric motors produce 114 more horsepower (402 vs. 288) and 176 lbs.-ft. more torque (486 vs. 310) than the X3 xDrive30e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the XC40 Recharge gets better mileage than the X3 xDrive30e running on electricity (92 city/79 hwy vs. 59 city/61 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the XC40 Recharge gets better mileage than the X3 xDrive30e running its gasoline engine (92 city/79 hwy MPGe vs. 21 city/27 hwy).

The XC40 Recharge’s maximum EPA estimated driving range is 223 miles on a full charge. The X3 xDrive30e can only travel about 22 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 X3 xDrive30e (7). This means the XC40 Recharge produces up to 11.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X3 xDrive30e every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the XC40 Recharge’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the X3 xDrive30e:

For better traction, the XC40 Recharge has larger standard tires than the X3 xDrive30e (235/50R19 vs. 225/60R18).

The XC40 Recharge’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X3 xDrive30e’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XC40 Recharge has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the X3 xDrive30e.

The XC40 Recharge has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the X3 xDrive30e; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the XC40 Recharge’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the X3 xDrive30e’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The XC40 Recharge is 11.7 inches shorter than the X3 xDrive30e, making the XC40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC40 Recharge has .6 inches more front legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3 xDrive30e.

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 X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e 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 X3 xDrive30e doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Insurance will cost less for the XC40 Recharge owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XC40 Recharge will cost $1280 less than the X3 xDrive30e over a five-year period.