Compare the2025 BMW X3VS 2025 Volvo V60 Cross Country

The BMW X3 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 V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X3 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the X3 and the V60 Cross Country have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

There are over 23 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X3’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 X3 30 xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 8 more horsepower (255 vs. 247) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the V60 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X3 M50 xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 146 more horsepower (393 vs. 247) and 170 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 258) than the V60 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X3 30 xDrive gets better fuel mileage than the V60 Cross Country B5 (27 city/33 hwy vs. 24 city/31 hwy).

The X3 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the V60 Cross Country (17.2 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X3 higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Volvo V60 Cross Country (4). This means the X3 produces up to 13.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the V60 Cross Country every 15,000 miles.

The X3 M50’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 V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the V60 Cross Country (245/50R19 vs. 215/55R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V60 Cross Country (F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21 vs. 245/40R20).

The X3’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 V60 Cross Country’s standard 55 series tires. The X3’s optional 285/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the V60 Cross Country’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the V60 Cross Country. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the V60 Cross Country.

The X3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The V60 Cross Country’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the X3 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V60 Cross Country, 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 X3 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 V60 Cross Country’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For greater off-road capability the X3 M50 xDrive has a greater minimum ground clearance than the V60 Cross Country (8.3 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3 30 xDrive’s minimum ground clearance is .7 inch higher than on the V60 Cross Country (8.5 vs. 7.8 inches).

The X3 has 7.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the V60 Cross Country (101.4 vs. 94).

The X3 has 3.1 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 1.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the V60 Cross Country.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The V60 Cross Country’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the V60 Cross Country with its rear seat up (31.5 vs. 23.2 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the V60 Cross Country with its rear seat folded (67.1 vs. 60.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V60 Cross Country. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the X3 has standard extendable sun visors. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X3 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the V60 Cross Country.

The X3’s Parking Assistant can parallel park 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. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW X3 outsold the Volvo 60 Series by over five to one during 2023.