Compare the2023 BMW X3VS 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country

The BMW X3 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 X3 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Volvo V60 Cross Country:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Volvo V60 Cross Country:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X3 first among compact premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The V60 Cross Country isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 135 more horsepower (382 vs. 247) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the V60 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Volvo V60 Cross Country:

Regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X3 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the V60 Cross Country (17.2 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X3 M40i’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 X3 stops much shorter than the V60 Cross Country:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the V60 Cross Country (245/50R19 vs. 215/55R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V60 Cross Country (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 235/45R19).

The X3’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 V60 Cross Country’s standard 55 series tires. The X3’s optional 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the V60 Cross Country’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the V60 Cross Country. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the V60 Cross Country.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X3 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 X3 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 X3 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 X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the V60 Cross Country’s (55% to 45%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .88 G’s, while the V60 Cross Country Ultimate pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the V60 Cross Country (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the V60 Cross Country (8 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the X3 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 X3 has 7.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the V60 Cross Country (101.4 vs. 94).

The X3 has 3.7 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the V60 Cross Country.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The V60 Cross Country’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the V60 Cross Country with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 23.2 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the V60 Cross Country with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 60.5 cubic feet).

The X3’s cargo area is larger than the V60 Cross Country’s in almost every dimension:

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the V60 Cross Country’s (4400 vs. 2000 pounds).

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V60 Cross Country. 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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X3 has standard extendable sun visors. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The X3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X3 outsold the Volvo 60 Series by almost 9 to one during 2022.