Compare the2023 BMW XMVS 2023 Volvo XC90

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 XC90 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 XC90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the XM and the XC90 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 and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 960 to 1474 pounds more than the Volvo XC90. 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 XC90 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 XC90 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 XC90 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 XC90 T8 has to start its internal combustion engine after only 18 miles.

Both the XM and the XC90 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 XC90 Recharge doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The XM has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port with a power remote release convenient to the driver and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The XC90 doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC90 (5 to 7). This means the XM produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC90 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 XC90 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the XC90 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 235/55R19).

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 XC90’s standard 55 series tires. The XM’s optional 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the XC90’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the XC90. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the XC90.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the XM uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XC90, 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 XC90.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the XC90 (122.2 inches vs. 117.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 2.3 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the XC90.

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 XC90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC90.

The XM has a much larger cargo volume than the XC90 with its rear seat up (18.6 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC90’s (5952 vs. 4000 pounds).

The engine in the XM is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC90. 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 front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC90’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 XC90 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 XC90.

The XM’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.