Compare the2024 Volvo XC90VS 2024 BMW XM

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC90 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW XM doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the XC90 and XM have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC90 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The XM’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Volvo XC90 offers an optional built in child booster seat. It’s more crash worthy than an added child seat because of its direct attachment to the seat. BMW doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the XM. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC90 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC90 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC90’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The XM’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the XC90 and the XM 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 Volvo XC90 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 XM has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC90 for 1 year and 4000 miles longer than BMW pays for maintenance for the XM (4/40,000 vs. 3/36,000).

The XM’s redline is at 7200 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The XC90 has a 6000 RPM redline.

On the EPA test cycle the XC90 T8 Extended Range running on electricity gets better mileage than the XM running on electricity (59 city/57 hwy vs. 46 city/46 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the XC90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XM running its gasoline engine:

The XC90 T8 Extended Range can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 32 miles. The XM has to start its internal combustion engine after only 31 miles.

The XC90 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The XM doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The XC90 Ultimate has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The XC90’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The XM doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the XC90’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the XM’s (39.7 feet vs. 41 feet).

For greater off-road capability the XC90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XM (8.8 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the XC90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The XC90 w/Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the XM (9.9 vs. 8.7 inches).

The Volvo XC90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 1500 pounds less than the BMW XM.

The XC90 is 6.2 inches shorter than the XM, making the XC90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the XC90 B6 Core is quieter than the XM (71 vs. 83 dB).

The XC90 has standard seating for 7 passengers; the XM can only carry 5.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the XC90’s middle row seats recline. The XM’s rear seats don’t recline.

The XC90’s cargo area provides more volume than the XM.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the XC90 easier. The XC90’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the XM’s liftover is 32.8 inches.

The XC90’s cargo area is larger than the XM’s in every dimension:

The XC90’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The XM’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the XC90’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The XM doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The XC90 has a higher standard payload capacity than the XM (1210 vs. 1041 lbs.).

The XC90 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the XM (1210 vs. 1043 lbs.).

The XC90’s standard Keyless Entry allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Access standard on the XM doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC90 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The XM doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC90 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the XM only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the XC90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XM doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The XC90 has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XM doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Volvo XC90, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.

Motor Trend selected the XC90 as their 2016 Sport Utility of the Year. The XM has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC90 as the 2016 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The XM has never been chosen.

The Volvo XC90 outsold the BMW XM by over 17 to one during 2023.