Compare the2024 BMW X1VS 2024 Volvo XC40

The BMW X1 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 X1 and the XC40 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.

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 X1 is safer than the XC40:

The BMW X1 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 XC40 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

There are over 23 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X1’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 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 X1 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X1 M35i xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 66 more horsepower (313 vs. 247) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the X1 xDrive28i is faster than the Volvo XC40:

On the EPA test cycle the X1 xDrive28i gets better fuel mileage than the XC40 T5 (25 city/34 hwy vs. 24 city/30 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (6 to 8 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (5). This means the X1 produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 every 15,000 miles.

The X1 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 XC40 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The X1’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 XC40 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X1 M35i xDrive’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the XC40:

The X1’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 X1 stops much shorter than the XC40:

The X1’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC40’s optional 45 series tires.

The X1 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 X1 offers an available 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.

The X1 xDrive28i handles at .86 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Ultimate pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X1 xDrive28i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus (26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The design of the BMW X1 amounts to more than styling. The X1 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the XC40 (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X1 get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the X1 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 X1 has 3.1 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X1’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume than the XC40 with its rear seat up (25.7 vs. 20.4 cubic feet).

A Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the X1, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC40.

The X1 has a higher standard payload capacity than the XC40 (1111 vs. 925 lbs.).

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 X1 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, 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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X1 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The XC40 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The X1’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC40’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X1, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC40 isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X1 third among small 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.