Compare the2026 BMW XMVS 2026 Volvo XC60

The BMW XM 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 XC60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the XM and the XC60 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 and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 1427 to 2046 pounds more than the Volvo XC60. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volvo pays for maintenance for the XC60 (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

There are over 24 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’ 2025 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 62 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 13 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’ 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 XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 491 more horsepower (738 vs. 247) and 472 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 266) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 283 more horsepower (738 vs. 455) and 215 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 523) than the XC60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW XM is faster than the Volvo XC60:

Both the XM and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All XMs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC60:

The XM stops much shorter than the XC60:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the XC60 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 235/60R18). The XM’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC60 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 265/35R22).

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 XC60’s standard 60 series tires. The XM’s 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the XC60’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60. The XM’s 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the XC60.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the XM uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XC60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. 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 XC60.

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 XC60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 9.4 inches longer than on the XC60 (122.2 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the XC60.

The XM Label handles at .97 G’s, while the XC60 T8 Core pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XM Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.4 seconds quicker than the XC60 B5 Core (23.9 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XM has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC60 (8.7 vs. 8.5 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 XC60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 5 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom, 4.8 inches more rear hip room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 63.3 cubic feet).

The XM’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in every dimension:

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC60’s (5952 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the XM is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The XM’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the XM to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the XC60.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 XC60.

The BMW XM 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 XC60.

The XM is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the XC60, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the XM offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the XC60.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the XM equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The XC60, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the BMW XM empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW XM has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC60.

The XM’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.