Compare the2023 BMW X4VS 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country

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 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 X4 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 X4 and the V90 Cross Country have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

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 third among compact 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 X4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 66 more horsepower (382 vs. 316) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the V90 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the X4 and the V90 Cross Country have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights 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 V90 Cross Country.

The X4 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the V90 Cross Country (17.2 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X4 stops much shorter than the V90 Cross Country:

For better traction, the X4 has larger standard tires than the V90 Cross Country (245/50R19 vs. 235/50R19).

The X4’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 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 X4 offers optional 21-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 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 V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X4 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The V90 Cross Country’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 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 X4 M40i handles at .89 G’s, while the V90 Cross Country B6 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X4 M40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the V90 Cross Country B6 (25.6 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

The X4 is 7.6 inches shorter than the V90 Cross Country, making the X4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X4 has 2.5 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the V90 Cross Country.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X4’s rear seats recline. The V90 Cross Country’s rear seats don’t recline.

The engine in the X4 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.

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 V90 Cross Country 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 V90 Cross Country’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 second among compact premium SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The V90 Cross Country isn’t in the top three.

The BMW X4 outsold the Volvo 90 Series by almost six to one during the 2021 model year.