2021 BMW X3 vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60 exemplified the renaissance Volvo had undergone since being acquired by Geely Holding Group in 2010. The XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and larger XC90, carried the brand’s sophisticated Scandinavian design philosophy. Built on Volvo's SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, the XC60’s second-generation design since the 2018 model year shared its underpinning with the other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. This design philosophy manifested in an elegant, tailored two-box crossover body, featuring short overhangs and crisply detailed body lines, giving the vehicle an agile appearance. The prominent upright grille flaunted Volvo’s iron mark logo, flanked by headlights with LED daytime running lights shaped like Thor’s hammer—a nod to its Swedish roots. The paint quality, chrome accents, and trim exuded high quality, while the alloy wheels, available up to 21 inches in the top trims, added a fashionable touch.

Inside, the XC60 continued to impress with genuine materials and a serene, clean-lined Scandinavian aesthetic. It boasted a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, which had become more user-friendly since its debut in 2018. The interior’s finishes, especially the HVAC vents controlled by a simple, elegant grooved knob, showcased the thoughtful design. This made the XC60’s cabin not only attractive but also a relaxing place to spend time.

By contrast, the 2021 BMW X3, which entered its third generation in 2018 and received updates in 2020, including a plug-in hybrid model and M performance variants, aimed to infuse the compact SUV segment with BMW’s signature luxury and refinement. The X3 mimicked the design language of the larger X5, offering a cold, mechanical styling typical of BMW’s interiors, which some found less appealing compared to competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class but highly functional nonetheless.

The 2021 X3 came in sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid variants. Standard features included 18-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, and a 10.2-inch infotainment system with navigation. Options spanned from genuine leather seats and a panoramic sunroof to heated-and-ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The higher-performance M40i trim added 19-inch wheels, 14-way power front seats, and an M Sport suspension, emphasizing a sportier approach.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a choice of powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available in FWD or AWD, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models upped the ante with 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, thanks to both a turbocharger and supercharger. The T8 models added an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The range-topping T8 Polestar Engineered model pushed this even further to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft.

Our test vehicle, the XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered, showcased impressive hybrid capabilities, with a limited all-electric range of up to 19 miles and the intelligent hybrid system optimizing performance and efficiency. The XC60’s handling was solid and secure, featuring AWD and torque vectoring for grippy cornering, while inside, the cabin remained quiet and comfortable.

EPA fuel economy ratings for the XC60 varied, with the T5 FWD achieving 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway (25 mpg combined) and the T8 PHEV reaching 27 mpg combined, with a remarkable 57 MPGe in electric-only mode. Premium gasoline was recommended across the range.

The 2021 BMW X3 also showcased an array of powertrains. The base sDrive30i and xDrive30i featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 248 hp, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission (RWD for sDrive30i, AWD for xDrive30i). The xDrive30e plug-in hybrid offered a combined output of 288 hp with a 17-mile electric range, charging fully in about 3.5 hours on a 240-volt charger.

For those seeking performance, the M40i’s 382-hp twin-turbo inline-six provided robust acceleration, complemented by responsive handling thanks to the advanced AWD system. Even more extreme was the X3 M with 473 hp.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was highly praised for its effective design and functionality, especially in adverse weather conditions. It boasted comfortable and adjustable front seats, with the heating system proving effective during harsh winters. The second-row seats were equally well-thought-out, featuring intuitive and glove-friendly controls. The XC60 provided 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, and had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Conversely, the 2021 BMW X3 offered slightly more cargo space with 28.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 62.7 cubic feet with the seats folded, ranking it among the best in its class. It also featured a standard power liftgate with an optional hands-free function. The X3’s cabin was spacious, with front row seats offering a commanding driving position, ample headroom, and legroom, while the rear seats comfortably accommodated adults.

The XC60 was equipped with Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system, characterized by its tablet-style interface with swipe, pinch, and pull gestures familiar to iPad users. The screen divided into quadrants for easy access to audio, navigation, vehicle, and communication functions, though there was a learning curve. The XC60 came with built-in Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The On Call app provided added functionality like maintenance reminders and remote operations. Our test model featured a Bowers & Wilkins audio system, delivering exceptional sound quality.

The BMW X3 featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen with the user-friendly iDrive system, combining touch capabilities with a central dial controller. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, with Android Auto optionally available. Options extended to wireless device charging, a digital instrument panel, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system. Gesture control was another innovative feature, allowing some functions to be controlled by hand motions, although it could sometimes result in unintentional commands.

Volvo’s commitment to safety was evident in the XC60, which earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for certain trims. Standard safety features were abundant, ranging from blind-spot monitoring and collision avoidance to a comprehensive set of airbags and a whiplash protection system. The semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system integrated adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist for enhanced driving safety. The XC60 was also speed-limited to 112 mph for added safety.

The BMW X3 came equipped with advanced safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning as standard. Available safety enhancements included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, adaptive headlights, and a head-up display.