Compare the2023 Volvo S90VS 2023 BMW i4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volvo S90 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW i4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the S90 and i4 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S90 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The i4’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Volvo S90 offers optional built in child booster seats. They’re more crash worthy than an added child seat because of their direct attachment to the seat. BMW doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the i4. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; S90 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

The S90 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The i4 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the S90. But it costs extra on the i4.

Both the S90 and the i4 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 and driver alert monitors.

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 vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the S90 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 95 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The i4 has not been tested, yet.

The S90 has more powerful engines than the i4:

The S90 T8’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 531 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The i4’s range is only 227 to 301 miles, after which

For better traction, the S90 has larger tires than the i4 (255/35R20 vs. 225/50R18).

The S90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the i4’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the i4.

The S90 B6 has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Recharge) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the i4; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S90’s wheelbase is 8.1 inches longer than on the i4 (120.5 inches vs. 112.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the S90 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .5 inches wider in the rear than on the i4.

For better maneuverability, the S90’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the i4’s (38.7 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Volvo S90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 pounds less than the BMW i4.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the S90 a Mid-size car, while the i4 is rated a Compact.

The S90 has 12 cubic feet more passenger volume than the i4 (102 vs. 90).

The S90 has .7 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 6.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the i4.

With its sedan body style, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the S90 offers cargo security. The i4’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the i4, the S90 Ultimate has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S90 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The i4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S90 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The i4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are standard in the S90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The i4 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The S90 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the i4. The S90 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the i4.

The S90 Ultimate has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The i4 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The S90 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the i4.

The S90 Ultimate offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the i4.

The S90 has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The i4 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The S90 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2017. The i4 has never been an “All Star.”