BMW 3 Series vs. Volvo V60
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW 3 Series and Volvo V60 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW 3 Series and the Volvo V60.
When comparing the BMW 3 Series's and the Volvo V60's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The Volvo V60 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series's and the Volvo V60's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series is a better car than the Volvo V60.
Pricing: A used 2019 BMW 3 Series ranges from $26,200 to $39,564 while a used 2019 Volvo V60 is priced between $29,000 to $41,028.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW 3 Series loses 47.7 percent of its value and the Volvo V60 loses 48 percent of its value. This means the BMW 3 Series retains 0.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volvo V60.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW 3 Series is 8.5 out of 10 while the Volvo V60's quality rating is 8.3 out of 10. This results in the BMW 3 Series being ranked 2 out of 12 Best Luxury Wagons and the Volvo V60 being ranked 3 out of 12.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW 3 Series is 8.0 out of 10. For the Volvo V60 the reliability rating is 7.5 out of 10. This gives the BMW 3 Series a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volvo V60.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 248 horsepower, and the Volvo V60 base engine makes 250 horsepower. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 521 miles. The V60 is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 522 miles. This gives the Volvo V60 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW 3 Series. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW 3 Series has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Volvo V60 has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the BMW 3 Series and the Volvo V60 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$45,000
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$42,984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$25,900 - $74,200
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$38,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$42,984
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$25,900 - $74,200
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$33,331
Price Range:
$26,200 - $39,564
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$29,968
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$21,546 - $52,107
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
184
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
58,273
# Good or Great Deals:
72
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$34,431
Price Range:
$29,000 - $41,028
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$29,968
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$21,546 - $52,107
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
78,898
# Good or Great Deals:
0
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volvo V60 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
5.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.1 - 9.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
7.6%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volvo V60
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
5.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.1 - 9.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
2.4%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
17.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 22.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.9 - 22.4
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
2 out of / 12Ranking
2 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 12Ranking
11 out of / 12Volvo V60 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
5 out of / 12Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 12Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon
Available Body Styles
Wagon
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
Not yet available
Volvo V60 Trim Levels
T5 Momentum, T5 R-Design, T6 Inscription, T6 Momentum, T6 R-Design
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
250 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.063 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 33 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
363 / 521 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 36 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
348 / 522 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.1 inches
Cargo Space:
27.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
61.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
124.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.5 inches
Cargo Space:
23.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
50.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
117.2 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3867 lbs
Width:
80 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
182.8 inches
Wheelbase:
110.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3955 lbs
Width:
80.3 inches
Height:
56.2 inches
Length:
187.4 inches
Wheelbase:
113.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/50R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/50R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Estoril Blue Metallic / Mediterranean Blue Metallic
Gray
Mineral Grey Metallic / Platinum Silver Metallic
Orange
Sunset Orange Metallic
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Stone / Onyx Black Metallic
Blue
Denim Blue Metallic
Gray
Birch Light Metallic / Osmium Grey Metallic / Pebble Grey Metallic / Pine Grey Metallic
Orange
Not available
Red
Fusion Red Metallic
Silver
Bright Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Cognac w/ Dark Brown Highlight / Cognac w/ Dark Brown Highlight and Cognac Dashboard / Venetian Beige w/ Dark Oyster Highlight / Venetian Beige/Black
Black
Black / Black w/ Dark Oyster Highlight / Black w/ Red Highlight
Gray
Oyster
Red
Coral Red w/ Black Highlight
Brown
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Amber
Black
Charcoal
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Brown
Maroon Brown
White
Blond / Blonde City Weave
