Compare the2024 BMW i5VS 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge

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 i5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW i5 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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the i5 and the C40 Recharge 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 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 i5’s warranty.

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 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 i5 M60’s standard electric motors produces 191 more horsepower (593 vs. 402) and 99 lbs.-ft. more torque (586 vs. 487) than the C40 Recharge’s electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the i5 gets better mileage than the C40 Recharge:

The i5 can travel longer on a full charge than the C40 Recharge on a full charge:

The i5 has a standard locking charge port with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The C40 Recharge doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The i5’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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the i5 has larger standard tires than the C40 Recharge (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R20). The i5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C40 Recharge (F:245/40R20 & R:275/35R20 vs. 235/45R20).

The i5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the C40 Recharge Core’s standard 50 series tires. The i5’s optional 245/35R21 front and 275/30R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the C40 Recharge’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the i5 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The C40 Recharge’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The i5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the C40 Recharge; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The i5 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The C40 Recharge’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The i5 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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The i5 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 C40 Recharge.

The i5 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. The C40 Recharge’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i5’s wheelbase is 11.5 inches longer than on the C40 Recharge (117.9 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the i5 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the C40 Recharge.

The i5 has .4 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the C40 Recharge.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the i5 offers cargo security. The C40 Recharge’s sport utility bodystyle defeats cargo security.

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 i5’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The i5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the i5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the i5 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The i5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the C40 Recharge.

The i5’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional 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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The i5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.