BMW X3 vs. Volvo XC90
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW X3 and Volvo XC90 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 X3 and the Volvo XC90.
When we compare the BMW X3's and the Volvo XC90's specifications and ratings, the BMW X3 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW X3's and the Volvo XC90's specifications and ratings, the BMW X3 is a better car than the Volvo XC90.
Pricing: For a new model, the BMW X3's price is between $54,175 and $73,916, with the Volvo XC90 priced between $62,575 and $79,440.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW X3 loses 53.9 percent of its value and the Volvo XC90 loses 58.7 percent of its value. This means the BMW X3 retains 4.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volvo XC90.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW X3’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Volvo XC90 base engine makes 247 horsepower.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Volvo XC90 has higher safety ratings than the BMW X3, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.90 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
54175 - 73916
Starting MSRP:
50900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
47438
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
24600 - 63100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
62575 - 79440
Starting MSRP:
61050
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
96574
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
46200 - 171000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
59368
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
57126 - 63354
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
73658
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
51935 - 95381
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
BMW X3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
9.9 / 10
Volvo XC90 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.2 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW X3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.0
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
15.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.0 - 16.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.065
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volvo XC90
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
11.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
8.2 - 12.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
BMW X3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
6 out of / 68Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
12 out of / 68Ranking
13 out of / 68Ranking
16 out of / 68Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
18 out of / 27Ranking
19 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
26 out of / 68Ranking
32 out of / 64Ranking
35 out of / 68Ranking
48 out of / 68Volvo XC90 Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
3 out of / 16Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
7 out of / 17Ranking
8 out of / 26Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 17Ranking
11 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 17Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 17Ranking
15 out of / 17Ranking
16 out of / 17Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 17Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
24 out of / 29Ranking
24 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 29Ranking
26 out of / 29Ranking
38 out of / 68Ranking
39 out of / 64Ranking
43 out of / 68Ranking
44 out of / 68Ranking
45 out of / 68Ranking
60 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
BMW X3 Trim Levels
30 xDrive, M50 xDrive
Volvo XC90 Trim Levels
B5 Core, B5 Plus 6P, B5 Plus 7P, B5 Ultra 6P, B5 Ultra 7P, B6 Core, B6 Plus 6P, B6 Plus 7P, B6 Ultra 6P, B6 Ultra 7P, B6 Ultra Dark 6P, B6 Ultra Dark 7P
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):
4.90 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
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:
255 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
247 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque:
266 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Cargo Space:
31.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
67.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
10.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
85.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
114.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4176 lbs
Width:
83.9 inches
Height:
65.4 inches
Length:
187.2 inches
Wheelbase:
112.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4442 lbs
Width:
84.3 inches
Height:
69.9 inches
Length:
195 inches
Wheelbase:
117.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/50R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 9.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/45R20
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Blue
Arctic Race Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Dune Grey Metallic / Frozen Deep Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Red
Vegas Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Onyx Black Metallic
Blue
Denim Blue Metallic
Gray
Bright Dusk Metallic / Vapour Grey Metallic
Red
Mulberry Red Metallic
White
Crystal White Metallic
Silver
Aurora Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Calm Beige
Black
Black / Black/Atlas Grey
Brown
Amber/Atlas Grey / Espresso Brown
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Charcoal
Brown
Not available
Gray
Cardamom in Charcoal/Cardamom Interior
