Compare the2023 Volvo XC60VS 2022 BMW X1

Safety
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC60 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The XC60’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The X1 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC60 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 X1 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the XC60 and X1 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar 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 X1’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 XC60 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 X1. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC60 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC60 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC60’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The X1’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The XC60 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The X1 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the City Safety and Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake in the XC60 as “Superior.” The X1 scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The XC60 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The X1 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XC60 has standard CTA Auto Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The X1 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The XC60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar has a standard 360-Degree Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The X1 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The XC60’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The X1 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the XC60’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The X1 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the XC60 and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo XC60 is safer than the BMW X1:

	XC60	X1
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	328
Neck Injury Risk	22%	32%
Neck Stress	198 lbs.	360 lbs.
Neck Compression	15 lbs.	60 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	178	187
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28%	31%
Neck Compression	55 lbs.	68 lbs.

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 Volvo XC60 is safer than the BMW X1:

	XC60	X1
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	73	143
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	154 lbs.
Hip Force	190 lbs.	486 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	185	193
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	65 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	237	278
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	410 lbs.	815 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 XC60 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X1 last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Engine

The XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 19 more horsepower (247 vs. 228) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The XC60 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 67 more horsepower (295 vs. 228) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 258) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The XC60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 227 more horsepower (455 vs. 228) and 265 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 258) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the BMW X1:

	XC60	X1
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.5 MPH	90.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the XC60 running on electricity gets better mileage than the X1:

			MPGe
XC60
	AWD	Extended Range Electric Motor	66 city/60 hwy
		T8 Electric Motor	59 city/55 hwy
X1
			MPG
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the XC60 T8 Extended Range 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the X1 xDrive (28 city/28 hwy vs. 23 city/31 hwy).

The XC60 can travel with zero emissions for 19 to 36 miles (dependent on model). The X1 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The XC60 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (18.8 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The XC60 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X1 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XC60’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X1:

	XC60	XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered	X1
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	15.7 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	12.6 inches	11.8 inches

The XC60 stops much shorter than the X1:

	XC60	X1
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XC60 has larger standard tires than the X1 (235/60R18 vs. 225/50R18). The XC60’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X1 (265/35R22 vs. 225/50R18).

The XC60’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X1’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XC60 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The X1’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The XC60 offers an available 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 X1’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The XC60 Ultimate has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The XC60’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The X1 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XC60’s wheelbase is 7.7 inches longer than on the X1 (112.8 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XC60 is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than on the X1.

The XC60 AWD handles at .88 G’s, while the X1 xDrive28i pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the XC60 w/Air Suspension has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the X1 (8.3 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the XC60 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The XC60’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the X1 (8.5 vs. 7.2 inches).

Passenger Space

The XC60 has 1.1 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

Cargo Capacity

The XC60 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X1 with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 58.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the XC60 easier. The XC60’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the X1’s liftover is 28.5 inches.

Towing

The XC60 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The X1 has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC60 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X1 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The XC60 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The X1 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X1, the XC60 Ultimate/Polestar 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 optional on the XC60 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The X1 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC60 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X1 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The XC60’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the X1’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the XC60’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the X1’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC60 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X1 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The X1’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The XC60’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Both the XC60 and the X1 offer optional heated front seats. The XC60 Ultimate/Recharge also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X1.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the XC60 Ultimate keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X1 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XC60 is less expensive to operate than the X1 because typical repairs cost much less on the XC60 than the X1, including $296 less for a water pump, $576 less for a muffler, $109 less for a starter, $92 less for fuel injection, $152 less for front struts, $968 less for a timing belt/chain and $716 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC60 as the 2018 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The X1 has never been chosen.

The Volvo XC60 outsold the BMW X1 by over five to one during 2022.

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