Compare the2023 BMW X5 xDrive45eVS 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge

The BMW X5 xDrive45e 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 Recharge doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the X5 xDrive45e and the XC40 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, 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.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e weighs 905 pounds more than the Volvo XC40 Recharge. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 xDrive45e the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 175 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC40 Recharge has not been fully tested, yet.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X5 xDrive45e’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 X5 xDrive45e’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 431 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The XC40 Recharge’s range is only 223 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 40 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 8 hours.

The X5 xDrive45e’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 Recharge doesn’t offer launch control.

The X5 xDrive45e’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 Recharge are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the X5 xDrive45e has larger standard tires than the XC40 Recharge (265/50R19 vs. 235/50R19). The X5 xDrive45e’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC40 Recharge (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. F:235/50R19 & R:255/45R19).

The X5 xDrive45e’s optional 275/40R21 front and 315/35R21 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 XC40 Recharge’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 xDrive45e offers optional 21-inch wheels. The XC40 Recharge’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 X5 xDrive45e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 xDrive45e offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the XC40 Recharge; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the X5 xDrive45e uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XC40 Recharge, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard 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 Recharge’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 xDrive45e’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 XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 xDrive45e’s wheelbase is 10.7 inches longer than on the XC40 Recharge (117.1 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 xDrive45e is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than on the XC40 Recharge.

For greater off-road capability the X5 xDrive45e has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XC40 Recharge (8.3 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the X5 xDrive45e to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the X5 xDrive45e uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 xDrive45e offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the XC40 Recharge can only carry 5.

The X5 xDrive45e has 3.2 inches more front headroom, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC40 Recharge.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X5 xDrive45e’s middle row seats recline. The XC40 Recharge’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 Recharge with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 16 cubic feet). The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 Recharge with its rear seat folded (71.2 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

The X5 xDrive45e’s cargo area is larger than the XC40 Recharge’s in every dimension:

The X5 xDrive45e’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The XC40 Recharge’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC40 Recharge’s (5952 vs. 2000 pounds).

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 X5 xDrive45e 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 XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The X5 xDrive45e offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, 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 Recharge doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 xDrive45e to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the XC40 Recharge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X5 xDrive45e has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 xDrive45e to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X5 xDrive45e keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The X5 xDrive45e offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the XC40 Recharge.

The X5 xDrive45e’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW X5 outsold the Volvo XC40 by over four to one during 2022.