Compare the2024 BMW iXVS 2024 Volvo XC60

The BMW iX 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 iX 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, 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.

The BMW iX weighs 907 to 1607 pounds more than the Volvo XC60. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the iX’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 iX’s reliability 14 points higher than the 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 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 iX xDrive50’s standard electric motors produces 269 more horsepower (516 vs. 247) and 306 lbs.-ft. more torque (564 vs. 258) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The iX xDrive50’s electric motors produces 61 more horsepower (516 vs. 455) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (564 vs. 523) than the XC60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid. The iX M60’s standard electric motors produces 155 more horsepower (610 vs. 455) and 226 lbs.-ft. more torque (749 vs. 523) than the XC60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the iX xDrive50 is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the iX gets better mileage than the XC60 running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the iX gets better mileage than the XC60 running its gasoline engine:

The iX can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 274 to 307 miles. The XC60 T8 Extended Range has to start its internal combustion engine after only 36 miles.

The iX’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s at 60 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 iX stops much shorter than the XC60:

For better traction, the iX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC60 (275/40R22 vs. 265/35R22).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the iX has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60. The iX’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the XC60.

The front and rear suspension of the iX 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the iX’s wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the XC60 (118.1 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the iX is .9 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than on the XC60.

The iX xDrive50 handles at .88 G’s, while the XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The iX M60 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the XC60 B5 Core (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the iX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 (8.8 vs. 8.5 inches), allowing the iX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the iX 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 iX has 3.5 inches more front headroom, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

The front step up height for the iX is 1.6 inches lower than the XC60 (17.4” vs. 19”). The iX’s rear step up height is 2.2 inches lower than the XC60’s (17.3” vs. 19.5”).

The iX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC60 with its rear seat up (35.5 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The iX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (77.9 vs. 63.3 cubic feet).

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

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the iX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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 iX’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.

Laser headlights, optional on the iX, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the XC60’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

The iX has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the XC60.

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

The iX’s optional Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Parking Assistant Professional 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.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the iX first among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The XC60 isn’t in the top three in its category.