Compare the2024 BMW X5VS 2024 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 X5 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 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.

With its standard Active Pedestrian Protection, the BMW X5 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Volvo XC60, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

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, 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 and available all wheel drive.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the BMW X5 is safer than the XC60:

The BMW X5 achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The XC60 last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023.

There are over 23 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 BMW X5 xDrive50e’s reliability 32 points higher than the Volvo XC60 T8’s and the BMW X5 is rated 49 points higher than the Volvo XC60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 58 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Volvo.

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 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 16 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The X5 has more powerful engines than the XC60:

As tested in Car and Driver the X5 M60i xDrive 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the XC60 T8 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid:

The X550e xDrive can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 40 miles. The XC60 T8 Extended Range has to start its internal combustion engine after only 35 miles.

Both the X5 and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All X5s 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.

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 much 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 M60i 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 M60i xDrive 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 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XC60.

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 (8.7 vs. 8.5 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 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 rear 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 rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC60 doesn’t offer automatic folding 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.

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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC60.

The X5’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The XC60 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® chose the BMW X5 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC60 isn't recommended.

The BMW X5 outsold the Volvo XC60 by 83% during 2023.