Compare the2023 BMW X5 xDrive45eVS 2023 Volvo XC60

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 XC60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X5 xDrive45e. But it costs extra on the XC60.

Both the X5 xDrive45e and the XC60 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.

The BMW X5 xDrive45e weighs 915 to 1638 pounds more than the Volvo XC60. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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, results indicate that the BMW X5 xDrive45e is safer than the Volvo XC60:

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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 xDrive45e its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 135 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC60 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

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 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 142 more horsepower (389 vs. 247) and 185 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 258) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 94 more horsepower (389 vs. 295) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 310) than the XC60 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

The X5 xDrive45e can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 31 miles. The XC60 T8 has to start its internal combustion engine after only 19 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X5 xDrive45e higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (5 to 7). This means the X5 xDrive45e produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the X5 xDrive45e has larger standard tires than the XC60 (265/50R19 vs. 235/60R18). The X5 xDrive45e’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC60 (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 265/35R22).

The X5 xDrive45e’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 XC60’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 xDrive45e has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the X5 xDrive45e uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XC60, which uses coil springs in front and transverse leafs springs in the rear. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 xDrive45e’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the XC60 (117.1 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 xDrive45e is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the XC60.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 xDrive45e offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the XC60 can only carry 5.

The X5 xDrive45e has 2.8 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X5 xDrive45e’s middle row seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC60 with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (71.2 vs. 63.3 cubic feet).

The X5 xDrive45e’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5 xDrive45e’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC60 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The X5 xDrive45e’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The XC60’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5 xDrive45e’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC60’s (5952 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the X5 xDrive45e is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 XC60.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X5 xDrive45e’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XC60’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 XC60 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 XC60 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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 XC60.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW X5 outsold the Volvo XC60 by over two to one during 2022.