Compare the2023 BMW X1VS 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country

The BMW X1 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 V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the X1 and the V60 Cross Country 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.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X1’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 X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the V60 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X1 is faster than the Volvo V60 Cross Country:

On the EPA test cycle the X1 xDrive28i gets better fuel mileage than the V60 Cross Country B5 (25 city/34 hwy vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the X1’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW X1 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The V60 Cross Country requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (8 out of 10) than the Volvo V60 Cross Country (5). This means the X1 produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the V60 Cross Country every 15,000 miles.

The X1 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The X1’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 V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer launch control.

The X1 stops much shorter than the V60 Cross Country:

For better traction, the X1 has larger standard tires than the V60 Cross Country (225/55R18 vs. 215/55R18). The X1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V60 Cross Country (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R19).

The X1 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The V60 Cross Country’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the X1 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V60 Cross Country, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The X1 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 V60 Cross Country’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X1 xDrive28i handles at .86 G’s, while the V60 Cross Country Ultimate pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X1 xDrive28i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the V60 Cross Country (26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X1 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the V60 Cross Country (8.1 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the X1 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The BMW X1 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 pounds less than the Volvo V60 Cross Country.

The X1 is 11.1 inches shorter than the V60 Cross Country, making the X1 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW X1 amounts to more than styling. The X1 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the V60 Cross Country (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X1 get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the X1 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X1 has 4.7 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the V60 Cross Country.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X1’s rear seats recline. The V60 Cross Country’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume than the V60 Cross Country with its rear seat up (25.7 vs. 23.2 cubic feet).

The X1’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the V60 Cross Country’s (3500 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 X1’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X1, based on reliability, safety and performance.