Compare the2024 BMW XMVS 2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XM are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW XM 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 Recharge doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the XM. But it costs extra on the XC40 Recharge.

Both the XM and the XC40 Recharge 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, 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 and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 1415 to 1641 pounds more than the Volvo XC40 Recharge. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 23 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the XM’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 XM’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 396 more horsepower (644 vs. 248) and 280 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 310) than the XC40 Recharge Single Motor’s standard electric motor. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 242 more horsepower (644 vs. 402) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 494) than the XC40 Recharge Twin Motor’s optional electric motors. The XM Label Red’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 336 more horsepower (738 vs. 402) and 244 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 494) than the XC40 Recharge Twin Motor’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW XM (base engine) is faster than the XC40 Recharge Twin Motor electric motors:

The XM’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 340 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The XC40 Recharge’s range is only 254 to 293 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 28 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 8 hours.

The XM’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 Recharge doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC40 Recharge:

The XM’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 Recharge are solid, not vented.

The XM stops much shorter than the XC40 Recharge:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the XC40 Recharge (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. F:235/50R19 & R:255/45R19).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC40 Recharge’s standard 50 series front and 45 series rear tires. The XM’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the XC40 Recharge Ultimate’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the XC40 Recharge. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the XC40 Recharge Ultimate.

The XM has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the XC40 Recharge; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The XM has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the XM uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XC40 Recharge, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The XM offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the XC40 Recharge.

The XM has a standard 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 Recharge’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 15.8 inches longer than on the XC40 Recharge (122.2 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 5 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the XC40 Recharge.

The XM handles at .92 G’s, while the XC40 Recharge AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the XM has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XC40 Recharge (8.7 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the XM to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the XM 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 Recharge doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has 2.8 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 4.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC40 Recharge.

The XM has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 Recharge with its rear seat up (18.6 vs. 16 cubic feet). The XM has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 Recharge with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

The XM’s cargo area is larger than the XC40 Recharge’s in every dimension:

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC40 Recharge’s (5952 vs. 2000 pounds).

A Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the XM, 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 Recharge.

The XM has a higher standard payload capacity than the XC40 Recharge (1041 vs. 960 lbs.).

The XM has a higher maximum payload capacity than the XC40 Recharge (1043 vs. 960 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 XM has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the XC40 Recharge, the XM has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The XM’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The XM has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 Recharge 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 XM has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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

The XM 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 XC40 Recharge.

The XM has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the XC40 Recharge.

The XM’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC40 Recharge doesn’t offer an automated parking system.