Compare the2023 BMW XMVS 2023 Volvo XC60

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XM are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The XC60 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW XM 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 XM. But it costs extra on the XC60.

Both the XM 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 and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 1332 to 2055 pounds more than the Volvo XC60. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the XM’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 XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 397 more horsepower (644 vs. 247) and 332 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 258) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 349 more horsepower (644 vs. 295) and 280 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 310) than the XC60 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 189 more horsepower (644 vs. 455) and 67 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 523) than the XC60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

The XM 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.

Both the XM and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All XMs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

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

The XM’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 XM has larger tires than the XC60 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 235/60R18). The XM’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC60 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 265/35R22).

The XM’s standard 275/45R21 front and 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC60’s standard 60 series tires. The XM’s optional 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the XC60’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the XC60.

The XM has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The XC60 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

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

The XM offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the XC60.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 9.4 inches longer than on the XC60 (122.2 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the XC60.

For greater off-road capability the XM has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 w/Air Suspension (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the XM to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The XM’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the XC60 (8.7 vs. 8.5 inches).

The front grille of the XM 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 XM has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 63.3 cubic feet).

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

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

A Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the XM, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC60.

The engine in the XM 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 XM’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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the XM has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The XM has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the XC60.

The XM has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the XC60.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW XM has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC60.

The XM’s 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.