Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country

The BMW X5 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 V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the X5 and the V90 Cross Country have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The BMW X5 weighs 615 to 1047 pounds more than the Volvo V90 Cross Country. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 122 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The V90 Cross Country is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X5’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The V90 Cross Country isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 91 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

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 X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 19 more horsepower (335 vs. 316) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 295) than the V90 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 207 more horsepower (523 vs. 316) and 258 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 295) than the V90 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Volvo V90 Cross Country:

The X5 has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the V90 Cross Country (21.9 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X5’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 V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X5 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the V90 Cross Country:

The X5 stops shorter than the V90 Cross Country:

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the V90 Cross Country (265/50R19 vs. 235/50R19). The X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V90 Cross Country (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the V90 Cross Country’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The V90 Cross Country’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 M50i offers 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 V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the X5 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V90 Cross Country, 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 X5 M50i 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 V90 Cross Country.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the V90 Cross Country (117.1 inches vs. 115.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the V90 Cross Country.

The X5 xDrive40i handles at .89 G’s, while the V90 Cross Country B6 pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the V90 Cross Country B6 (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the V90 Cross Country (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the V90 Cross Country can only carry 5.

The X5 has 2.9 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the V90 Cross Country.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X5’s middle row seats recline. The V90 Cross Country’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the V90 Cross Country with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 25.5 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the V90 Cross Country with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 53.9 cubic feet).

The X5’s cargo area is larger than the V90 Cross Country’s in almost every dimension:

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The V90 Cross Country’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the V90 Cross Country’s (5952 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo V90 Cross Country is only 3500 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the X5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V90 Cross Country. 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 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

The X5’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the V90 Cross Country.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X5’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the V90 Cross Country’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X5 has standard extendable sun visors. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The X5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The V90 Cross Country’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X5 outsold the Volvo 90 Series by over 34 to one during the 2021 model year.