Compare the2024 BMW X2VS 2024 Volvo XC60

The BMW X2 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 Driving Assistant, the BMW X2 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Volvo XC60, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Both the X2 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

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 X2 is safer than the XC60:

The BMW X2 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 X2’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 55 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Volvo.

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 X2 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X2 gets better mileage than the XC60 running its gasoline engine:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X2 higher (6 to 8 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (5 to 7). This means the X2 produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

The X2 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The XC60 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The X2’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.

For better traction, the X2 has larger tires than the XC60 (245/45R19 vs. 235/60R18).

The X2 xDrive28i’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 XC60’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X2 xDrive28i has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60.

The front and rear suspension of the X2 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 BMW X2 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 900 pounds less than the Volvo XC60.

The X2 is 6.1 inches shorter than the XC60, making the X2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X2 is 6.1 inches narrower than the XC60, making the X2 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X2’s rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X2 has a larger cargo volume than the XC60 with its rear seat up (25.3 vs. 24.4 cubic feet).

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 X2’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XC60’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The X2’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.