Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2023 Volvo XC60

The BMW X5 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.

Both the X5 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 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 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 136 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’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X5’s reliability 24 points higher than the XC60.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The XC60 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 X5 has more powerful engines than the XC60:

As tested in Motor Trend the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Volvo XC60:

The X5 has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC60 (21.9 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X5’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.

The X5 stops shorter than the XC60:

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

The X5’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. The X5’s optional 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the XC60’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60. The X5’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the XC60.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 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 X5 M50i offers 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 front and rear suspension of the X5 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, 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 X5 M50i 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 X5’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the XC60 (117.1 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X5 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XC60.

The X5 xDrive40i handles at .89 G’s, while the XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the XC60 B5 Core AWD (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 w/Air Suspension (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X5’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the XC60 (8.7 vs. 8.5 inches).

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

The X5 has 2.7 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’s middle row seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC60 with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 63.3 cubic feet).

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

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5’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’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’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC60’s (5952 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC60 is only 3500 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the X5 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’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 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’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 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC60 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X5 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’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.

Insurance will cost less for the X5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the XC60 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X5 is less expensive to operate than the XC60 because typical repairs cost much less on the X5 than the XC60, including $238 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC60 isn't recommended.

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