Compare the2022 BMW X4VS 2021 Volvo V60

The BMW X4 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X4. But it costs extra on the V60.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X4’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The V60 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the X4 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 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 X4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 first among compact premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The V60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 X4 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.

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X4’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 X4 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 X4s 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 X4 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the V60 (17.2 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X4 stops much shorter than the V60:

For better traction, the X4 has larger standard tires than the V60 (245/50R19 vs. 235/45R18). The X4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V60 (F:245/44R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 235/45R18).

The X4 M40i’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 X4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the V60. The X4 M40i’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 X4 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 X4 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 X4 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 average track (width between the wheels) on the X4 is .5 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the V60.

The X4 M40i handles at .89 G’s, while the V60 Momentum pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X4 M40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the V60 Momentum (25.6 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X4 has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the V60 (8 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the X4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the X4 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 X4 has 3.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the V60 (97.8 vs. 94).

The X4 has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the V60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X4’s rear seats recline. The V60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X4 has a larger cargo volume than the V60 with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 23.2 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X4’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The V60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the X4 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 X4 has standard extendable sun visors. The V60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The X4’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.

The X4 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X4 will retain 45.7% to 48.49% of its original price after five years, while the V60 only retains 37.51% to 39.2%.