Volvo is popular for creating safe cars, while BMW is famous for building high-performance vehicles. These brands have joined the fully electric car race and have several cars on offer. After BMW introduced the ix3, it’s now competing with the likes of Volvo xc40 and many other electric SUVs. But which car is better between the Volvo XC40 and BMW ix3?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want attractive styling, excellent acceleration, and a thoughtfully designed cabin, the Volvo XC40 is the car for you. But if you want a fantastic range, quiet ride, and a more practical car, the BMW ix3 is the SUV for you.
Regardless of the car that you select, you will enjoy a nice and quiet fully electric ride. However, it all depends on what you’re looking for in a compact SUV. Also, it is important to note that both of these cars have variants that perform better than the base models.
Which car is better – Volvo XC40 or BMW ix3?
Exterior and interior appearance
The BMW ix3 and Volvo XC40 look similar to their gasoline-powered siblings. They are both beautifully designed with appealing headlights and taillights. Nonetheless, the Volvo XC40 has a more appealing front and side, while the BMW ix3 looks more spectacular at the rear.
Unlike the original BMW X3, the BMW ix3 comes with a slightly enlarged kidney grille, while the Volvo XC40 comes with a closed grille. Overall, both cars look sleek and it depends on the buyer’s taste and preference.
When it comes to the interior, the BMW ix3 is more luxurious and comfortable than the Volvo XC40. Unlike the BMW ix3 that comes with Vernasca leather sports seats, the Volvo XC40 has a leather-free interior. What’s more, the ix3is more practical, making it ideal for a family.
However, this does not mean that the Volvo XC40 is not practical, as it also can accommodate up to five people and it has decent legroom. In terms of cargo space, the BMW ix3 still beats Volvo XC40 as it has more cubic feet when the rear seat is folded.
Performance
The Volvo XC40 may be smaller than the BMW ix3, but it performs better than the latter. Yes, the Volvo XC40 operates using a 78-kWh battery pack and has a single-speed automatic transmission, but it delivers up to 402 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque, which is mesmerizing.
On the other hand, the BMW ix3 runs using an 80-kWh battery pack, but it only delivers up to 282 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the Volvo XC40 has a top speed of 112 mph, which is the same as BMW ix3’s top speed. What’s more, the ix3 takes 6.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60, while Volvo takes only 4.9 seconds.
Range
When it comes to range, the BMW ix3 still carries the day as it has an outstanding range of 285 miles. On the contrary, the Volvo XC40 has a range of up to 259 miles, which is good but not better than that of the BMW ix3.
Battery capacity
As stated earlier, the BMW ix3 comes with an 80-kWh battery pack, while the Volvo XC40 comes with a 78-kWh battery pack. So, BMW ix3’s battery pack is more powerful than Volvo’s battery pack. On the contrary, it only takes 34 minutes to charge BMW ix3’s battery from 0 %to 80%, while it takes up to 40 minutes to charge Volvo’s battery.
FAQ
Which car is faster – BMW ix3 or Volvo XC40
If you love drag racing and want the faster car between the Volvo XC40 and BMW ix3, Volvo takes the day. This is because Volvo XC40 can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 4.9 seconds, which is one of the best among fully electric SUVs.
On the other hand, BMW takes 6.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60, which is one of the slowest among fully electric SUVs. When it comes to speed, both of these SUVs have a maximum of 112 mph, which is good enough.
Is BMW ix3 more reliable than Volvo XC40?
No, the Volvo XC40 is more reliable than the BMW ix3. Aside from being safer than the BMW ix3, Volvo XC40 is also more reliable than the BMW ix3. This is because it registers fewer issues per 100 vehicles than the BMW. So, if reliability is what you’re looking for, Volvo is the car to consider.
Which car is cheaper to maintain – Volvo XC40 or BMW ix3?
Of course, the Volvo XC40 is cheaper to maintain than the BMW ix3. Since both of these compact SUVs are luxury cars, they are quite costlier to maintain but cheaper than their ICE counterpart. On the same note, BMWs are more expensive to maintain because of their costly spare parts.
Besides, Volvos are more reliable than BMWs as they don’t break down often. This means the overall cost of repair and maintenance is much lower than that of BMWs.
Is Volvo XC40 worth the money?
Yes, the Volvo XC40 is every dollar spent on it. This fully electric subcompact SUV comes with a handsome exterior and a refined interior. It also features lots of high-tech and safety features. What’s, more, it can accommodate up to 5 passengers, which is okay, but the infotainment system is somewhat lacking.
Which car is safer – Volvo XC40 or BMW ix3?
Both of these cars are safe as they come with high-end safety features such as lane keep assist, electronic stability control, and active cruise control. Nevertheless, the Volvo XC40 is the safer car as it has even won a Top Safety Pick+ award, while the BMW ix3 is yet to be safety tested.
Final thoughts
Volvo XC40 is best suited for people looking for a stylish, faster, and safer fully electric SUV, while the BMW ix3 is ideal for individuals who desire a fully electric SUV with better range, a quiet ride, and a more practical car.
Additionally, the BMW ix3 is costlier than the Volvo XC40, while the Volvo XC40 is compact with less trunk space. Before picking any of these two electric SUVs, it is important to know their pros and cons and whether they meet your needs or not.
All in all, both are excellent cars even though the Volvo XC40 comes with an all-wheel-drive system, while the BMW ix3 is fitted with a rear-wheel-drive system.