Compare the2024 BMW X4VS 2024 Volvo XC40

The BMW X4 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 XC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the X4 and the XC40 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, 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.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 second among compact premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The XC40 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 X4 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 XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The X4 has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (17.2 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X4’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the XC40 are solid, not vented.

The X4 stops much shorter than the XC40:

For better traction, the X4 has larger standard tires than the XC40 (245/50R19 vs. 235/55R18).

The X4’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 XC40’s standard 55 series tires. The X4’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the XC40’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC40. The X4’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the XC40.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X4 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC40 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X4 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The X4 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 XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X4’s wheelbase is 6.4 inches longer than on the XC40 (112.8 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X4 is .5 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XC40.

The X4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.2% to 50.8%) than the XC40’s (57.9% to 42.1%). This gives the X4 more stable handling and braking.

The X4 M40i handles at .89 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X4 M40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus (25.6 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The front grille of the X4 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X4 has 1.3 inches more front headroom and .8 inches more front shoulder room than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X4’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X4 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the XC40 (1010 vs. 925 lbs.).

The engine in the X4 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC40. 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 X4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X4 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X4 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The X4’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC40’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 first among compact premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The XC40 isn’t in the top three in its category.