Volvo S40 vs. BMW 3 Series
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volvo S40 and BMW 3 Series 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 Volvo S40 and the BMW 3 Series.
In comparing the Volvo S40's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the Volvo S40 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. The BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Volvo S40's and the BMW 3 Series's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2011 Volvo S40 ranges from $3,962 to $9,999 while a used 2011 BMW 3 Series is priced between $5,450 to $13,997.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volvo S40’s base engine makes 227 horsepower, and the BMW 3 Series base engine makes 230 horsepower. The S40 is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 477 miles. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 451 miles. This gives the Volvo S40 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW 3 Series. Both models use gasoline.
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 rear leg room. The Volvo S40 has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The BMW 3 Series has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$27,750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$34,600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$38,783
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$29,610 - $55,900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$7,539
Price Range:
$3,962 - $9,999
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
8
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
125,218
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$9,353
Price Range:
$5,450 - $13,997
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$13,284
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$8,736 - $39,547
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
389
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
108,913
# Good or Great Deals:
118
Volvo S40 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volvo S40
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW 3 Series
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.3
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
51
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
5.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.1 - 51
Volvo S40 Rankings
Not yet available
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
30 out of / 36Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Diesel, Gasoline
Volvo S40 Trim Levels
T5, T5 R-Design
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
Not yet available
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):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
227 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
236 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.067 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
230 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
200 foot-lbs @ 2750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.068 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
5
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
334 / 477 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 28 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
290 / 451 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Available
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.1 inches
Cargo Space:
12.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
92.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Cargo Space:
12 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
96.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3363 lbs
Width:
69.7 inches
Height:
57.2 inches
Length:
176.2 inches
Wheelbase:
103.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3362 lbs
Width:
79.3 inches
Height:
55.9 inches
Length:
178.2 inches
Wheelbase:
108.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/50R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Barents Blue Metallic
Gray
Titanium Gray Metallic
Red
Flamenco Red Metallic
Silver
Silver Metallic
White
Ice White
Brown
Not available
Green
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Blue Water Metallic / Deep Sea Blue Metallic / Le Mans Blue Metallic / Montego Blue Metallic
Gray
Space Gray Metallic / Titanium Silver Metallic
Red
Crimson Red / Vermilion Red Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Alpine White
Brown
Platinum Bronze Metallic
Green
Tasman Green Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Calcite / Dark Beige with Quartz Beige
Gray
Off Black
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Beige Dakota Leather / Beige Leatherette
Gray
Gray Dakota Leather
Black
Black Dakota Leather / Black Leatherette
Brown
Chestnut Brown Dakota Leather / Saddle Brown Dakota Leather
White
Oyster and Black Dakota Leather
