2022 BMW X3 vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, though no longer purely Swedish, benefited greatly from its acquisition by Geely Holding Group. This transition allowed Volvo to shed its Ford shackles and innovate with new platforms and engineering. The XC60, built on Volvo’s SPA platform, showcased an elegant, tailored design with short overhangs and crisp details. The upright grille with the iron mark logo and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED headlights added a distinct Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60 featured a serene, Scandinavian-inspired cabin with clean lines, authentic materials, and a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen. The attention to detail, such as the elegant HVAC vents, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

The 2022 BMW X3, available in four variants, featured a revised exterior design with a larger kidney grille and slimmer adaptive full LED headlights. The rear taillights had a new pincer claw-shaped design, and the exhaust tips and bumper were redesigned. The X3 offered nine exterior finishes, including new metallic colors Brooklyn Grey and Tanzanite Blue II. The interior of the X3 was clean and efficient, with dark oak wood trim, eight-way power-adjustable front Sport seats, and tri-zone automatic climate control. The SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery was standard, with premium Vernasca leather available as an option. The X3 also featured a panoramic moonroof and ambient lighting with 11 color combinations.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 models delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, which were plug-in hybrids, combined a gasoline engine with an electric motor to produce 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model further increased output to 415 hp. The XC60 provided a smooth and quiet ride, with excellent handling and a solid, secure feel on the road. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission across all models. The sDrive30i and xDrive30i variants were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. The M40i variant added a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The X3 offered a comfortable and compliant ride, with the M40i providing a more exhilarating driving experience. Fuel economy for the sDrive30i was 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway, while the M40i achieved 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and practicality, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling sub-freezing temperatures. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, making it a great choice for families.

The 2022 BMW X3 provided seating for five adults, with a 40/20/40-split rear seat configuration. The cargo area was spacious enough to accommodate multiple backpacks and additional carry-on suitcases. The X3 featured a power tailgate with an optional hands-free opening. The interior offered comfortable SensaTec seats, with the option to upgrade to Vernasca leather. The redesigned center console and larger infotainment screen improved accessibility and usability.

The 2021 Volvo XC60's infotainment system, Sensus, featured a tablet-style touchpad interface with swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The system was intuitive for frequent iPad users but had a learning curve. The XC60 included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 BMW X3 came standard with BMW Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. The system included navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Live Cockpit Professional upgraded both screens to 12.3 inches. The X3 also offered a 12-speaker HiFi sound system, with an optional Harman Kardon surround sound system for the M40i.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and more. The XC60 also offered Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, and a top speed restriction of 112 mph for safety.

The 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included adaptive LED headlights, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and active blind-spot monitoring. The X3 also offered optional packages for parking assistance and advanced driver-assistance systems, including traffic jam assistance and active lane-keep assist.