Compare the2025 BMW X3VS 2025 Volvo XC40

The BMW X3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the X3 and the XC40 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Volvo XC40:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X3’s reliability 41 points higher than the XC40.

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’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 7 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 XC40’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 XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the XC40:

The X3 has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (17.2 vs. 14.2 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 XC40 (4). This means the X3 produces up to 13.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 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 XC40 doesn’t offer launch control.

The X3’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 X3 stops much shorter than the XC40:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the XC40 (245/50R19 vs. 235/55R18). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC40 (F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21 vs. 245/45R20).

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 XC40’s standard 55 series tires. The X3’s optional 255/40R21 front and 285/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the XC40’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC40. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the XC40.

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 XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 6.4 inches longer than on the XC40 (112.8 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.5% to 49.5%) than the XC40’s (57.9% to 42.1%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 30 xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 30 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus (25.8 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 M50 xDrive has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC40 (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3 30 xDrive’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the XC40 (8.5 vs. 8.1 inches).

The X3 has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (101.4 vs. 98).

The X3 has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room and .2 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X3’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (31.5 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (67.1 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

A Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the X3, 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 engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC40. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The X3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, 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.

The X3’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Drive standard on the XC40 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X3 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.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC40 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X3 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The BMW X3 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the XC40.

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 XC40’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The BMW X3 outsold the Volvo EX40/XC40 by almost three to one during 2024.