Compare the2023 BMW i4VS 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge

The BMW i4 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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the i4 and the C40 Recharge 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 i4’s warranty.

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 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 14th.

The i4 M50’s standard electric motors produces 134 more horsepower (536 vs. 402) and 99 lbs.-ft. more torque (586 vs. 487) than the C40 Recharge’s electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the Volvo C40 Recharge:

On the EPA test cycle the i4 gets better mileage than the C40 Recharge:

The i4 can travel longer on a full charge than the C40 Recharge on a full charge:

The i4 M50’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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the i4 M50’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the C40 Recharge:

The i4 stops much shorter than the C40 Recharge:

For better traction, the i4 M50’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C40 Recharge (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. 235/45R20).

The i4 M50’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 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 C40 Recharge’s optional 45 series tires.

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the C40 Recharge, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The i4 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. The C40 Recharge’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The i4 has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i4’s wheelbase is 6 inches longer than on the C40 Recharge (112.4 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

The i4 M50 handles at .96 G’s, while the C40 Recharge Ultimate pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

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 i4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the i4 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The i4’s optional Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The i4 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i4, based on reliability, safety and performance.