Compare the2022 BMW X1VS 2022 Volvo XC60

The BMW X1 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 XC60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the X1 and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X1 is safer than the Volvo XC60:

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, results indicate that the BMW X1 is safer than the Volvo XC60:

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 X1’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 X1’s reliability 38 points higher than the XC60.

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.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X1 is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the XC60 running its gasoline engine:

Both the X1 and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All X1s 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 XC60.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (5 to 7). This means the X1 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

The X1’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 XC60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X1’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the XC60:

The X1 stops shorter than the XC60:

The X1’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 XC60’s standard 60 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X1 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X1 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the X1 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, 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.

The X1 xDrive28i handles at .85 G’s, while the XC60 T8 eAWD Momentum pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X1 xDrive28i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC60 B5 AWD Momentum (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The BMW X1 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 pounds less than the Volvo XC60.

The X1 is 9.1 inches shorter than the XC60, making the X1 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X1 has 2.8 inches more front headroom and .5 inches more rear headroom than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X1’s available rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the X1 is 2 inches lower than the XC60 (17” vs. 19”). The X1’s rear step up height is 2.2 inches lower than the XC60’s (17.3” vs. 19.5”).

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC60 with its rear seat up (27.1 vs. 21.6 cubic feet). The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (58.7 vs. 49.8 cubic feet).

The X1’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in almost every dimension:

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.

The X1’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 XC60’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the X1 has a standard extendable sun visor. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the X1 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X1 with a number “3” insurance rate while the XC60 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X1 is less expensive to operate than the XC60 because it costs $127 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the X1 than the XC60, including $40 less for front brake pads and $243 less for a fuel pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X1 will be $1585 to $22544 less than for the Volvo XC60.

The X1 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 5 years. The XC60 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.