BMW vs. Volvo

When comparing the BMW brand to the Volvo brand, BMW has the advantage in the areas of depreciation, horsepower, towing capacity, retained value and variety of models offered. Volvo has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, fuel efficiency, overall quality, reliability, safety and vehicle rankings.

BMW versus Volvo: Pricing and Value

Analyzing BMW versus Volvo pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Volvo in 9 out of 17 vehicle comparisons. BMW and Volvo both also have lower used vehicle starting prices in 6 out of 12 comparisons. BMW models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 7 out of 12 comparisons.

BMW versus Volvo: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity

BMW vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 10 out of 17 model comparisons, with Volvo offering more horsepower in 7 comparisons. Volvo offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 5 out of 9 comparisons. BMW vehicles have higher MPG in 2 comparisons, and both BMW and Volvo vehicles have the same MPG in 2 comparisons. BMW offers a greater towing capacity in 4 out of 5 comparisons.

BMW versus Volvo: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings

A comparison of BMW versus Volvo overall quality ratings shows Volvo with higher quality ratings in 8 out of 10 model comparisons. BMW has higher quality ratings in 1 out of 10 comparisons, and both BMW and Volvo are tied for overall quality in 1 comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Volvo has the advantage in 7 out of 10 comparisons. BMW has higher reliability ratings in 2 out of 10 comparisons, and BMW and Volvo tie in 1 comparisons. Volvo has better safety ratings in 2 out of 4 comparisons. BMW and Volvo tie for safety in 2 comparisons. BMW shows higher ratings for retained value in 8 out of 12 comparisons.

Best Car Rankings

BMW has better car rankings in 2 categories: BMW X3 in Best Luxury Small SUVs and BMW 3 Series in Best Luxury Small Cars.Volvo has better car rankings in 8 categories: Volvo S90 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Luxury Hybrid Cars, Volvo XC90 in Best Luxury Crossover SUVs, Volvo XC90 in Best Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows, Volvo S90 in Best Luxury Midsize Cars, Volvo XC90 in Best Luxury Midsize SUVs, Volvo S90 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV), Volvo XC90 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs, and Volvo XC90 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Best Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV).

Most Reliable Car Rankings

BMW has better car rankings in 3 categories: BMW 5 Series in Most Reliable Luxury Midsize Cars, BMW 3 Series in Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars, and BMW X3 in Most Reliable Luxury Small SUVs. Volvo has better car rankings in 7 categories: Volvo XC90 in Most Reliable Luxury Crossover SUVs, Volvo S90 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Most Reliable Luxury Hybrid Cars, Volvo XC60 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Most Reliable Luxury Hybrid SUVs, Volvo XC90 in Most Reliable Luxury Midsize SUVs, Volvo S90 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV), Volvo XC60 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV), and Volvo XC90 in Most Reliable Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows.

Best Resale Value Rankings

BMW has better car rankings in 8 categories: BMW X1 in Luxury Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value, BMW i8 (coupe) in Luxury Hybrid Cars with Best Resale Value, BMW 8 Series (coupe) in Luxury Midsize Cars with Best Resale Value, BMW i8 (coupe) in Luxury Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV) with Best Resale Value, BMW M3 in Luxury Small Cars with Best Resale Value, BMW X4 in Luxury Small SUVs with Best Resale Value, BMW X1 in Luxury Subcompact SUVs with Best Resale Value, and BMW 3 Series (wagon) in Luxury Wagons with Best Resale Value. Volvo has better car rankings in 4 categories: Volvo XC90 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Luxury Hybrid SUVs with Best Resale Value, Volvo XC90 in Luxury Midsize SUVs with Best Resale Value, Volvo XC90 (Plug-in Hybrid) in Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV) with Best Resale Value, and Volvo XC90 in Luxury SUVs with 3 Rows with Best Resale Value.

Best Cars for the Money Rankings

BMW has better car rankings in 2 categories: BMW 3 Series in Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money and BMW X3 in Best Luxury Small SUVs for the Money.Volvo has the better car ranking in 1 category: XC90 in Best Luxury Midsize SUVs for the Money.

Available Body Styles

BMW offers 13 SUVs, 14 sedans, 6 coupes, and 5 convertibles. In comparison, Volvo offers 7 SUVs, 3 wagons, and 4 sedans.

Drivetrain Options

BMW offers 23 gasoline vehicles, 4 plug-in hybrids, and 3 electric vehicles. Volvo offers 7 gasoline vehicles, 5 plug-in hybrids, and 2 electric vehicles.

BMW offers 24 all-wheel-drive models, 2 front-wheel-drive models, and 13 rear-wheel-drive models. Volvo offers 14 all-wheel-drive models and 3 front-wheel-drive models.