Compare the2023 BMW X3VS 2023 Volvo XC40

The BMW X3 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 XC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the X3 and the XC40 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Volvo XC40:

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Volvo XC40:

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 X3’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X3 first among compact premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The XC40 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 X3 s/xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (248 vs. 194) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the XC40 B4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X3 s/xDrive30i’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 1 more horsepower (248 vs. 247) than the XC40 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 135 more horsepower (382 vs. 247) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the XC40 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The X3 has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (17.2 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X3 M40i’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 XC40 doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The X3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the XC40 are solid, not vented.

The X3 stops much shorter than the XC40:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the XC40 (245/50R19 vs. 235/55R18).

The X3’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 XC40’s standard 55 series tires. The X3’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the XC40’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC40. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the XC40.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC40 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The X3 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 6.4 inches longer than on the XC40 (112.8 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the XC40’s (57.9% to 42.1%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .88 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Plus AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus AWD (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The front grille of the X3 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X3 has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (101.4 vs. 98).

The X3 has 2.1 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room and .3 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X3 easier. The X3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the XC40’s liftover is 29.6 inches.

The X3’s cargo area is larger than the XC40’s in every dimension:

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC40’s (4400 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC40. 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 X3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X3 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC40 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X3 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC40’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC40, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X3 outsold the Volvo XC40 by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.