Compare the2023 BMW X2VS 2023 Volvo XC40

The BMW X2 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 X2 and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X2’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X2 third among small premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The XC40 isn’t in the top three.

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 X2’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 34 more horsepower (228 vs. 194) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the XC40 B4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (301 vs. 247) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 258) than the XC40 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the X2 M35i is faster than the XC40 B5:

On the EPA test cycle the X2 gets better mileage than the XC40:

The X2 has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (16.1 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X2’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 X2’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XC40:

The X2’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 X2 stops much shorter than the XC40:

The X2’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 X2 M35i’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the XC40’s optional 45 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X2 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 X2 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 X2 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.

The X2 xDrive28i handles at .91 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Ultimate AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus AWD (25.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The BMW X2 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 pounds less than the Volvo XC40.

The X2 has .2 inches more front headroom and .6 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X2’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the X2 is 1.1 inches lower than the XC40 (16.6” vs. 17.7”). The X2’s rear step up height is 1.2 inches lower than the XC40’s (17” vs. 18.2”).

The X2 has a much larger cargo volume than the XC40 with its rear seat up (21.6 vs. 20.4 cubic feet).

The X2 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the XC40 (970 vs. 925 lbs.).

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 X2 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X2 and the Volvo XC40, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Consumer Reports performed a comparison test in its August 2018 issue and they ranked the BMW X2 sDrive28i xDrive first. They ranked the Volvo XC40 B5 Core AWD third.