Compare the2025 BMW XMVS 2025 Volvo EX40

The BMW XM has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The EX40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the XM. But it costs extra on the EX40.

Both the XM and the EX40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 1412 to 1641 pounds more than the Volvo EX40. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 23 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the XM’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 55 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 16 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The XM has more powerful engines than the EX40:

	Horsepower	Torque
XM 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid	644 HP	590 lbs.-ft.
XM Label Red 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid	738 HP	738 lbs.-ft.
EX40 Single Motor electric motor	248 HP	310 lbs.-ft.
EX40 Twin Motor electric motors	402 HP	494 lbs.-ft.
EX40 Twin Motor Performance electric motors	436 HP	494 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW XM (base engine) is faster than the EX40 Twin Motor electric motors:

	XM	EX40
Zero to 60 MPH	3.4 sec	4.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	8.2 sec	10.9 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	3.9 sec	4.4 sec
Quarter Mile	11.7 sec	12.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	119 MPH	108 MPH
Top Speed	168 MPH	113 MPH

The XM’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 340 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The EX40’s range is only 260 to 296 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 28 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 8 hours.

The XM’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The EX40 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the EX40:

	XM	EX40
Front Rotors	16.5 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	15.7 inches	13.4 inches

The XM’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the EX40 are solid, not vented.

The XM stops much shorter than the EX40:

	XM	EX40
70 to 0 MPH	153 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	103 feet	118 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the EX40 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. F:235/50R19 & R:255/45R19).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the EX40’s standard 50 series front and 45 series rear tires. The XM’s 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the EX40 Ultra’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the EX40. The XM’s 23-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the EX40 Ultra.

The XM has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The EX40 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the XM uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the EX40, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The XM offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the EX40.

The XM has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The EX40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 15.8 inches longer than on the EX40 (122.2 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 5 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the EX40.

The XM handles at .92 G’s, while the EX40 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XM Label Red executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the EX40 AWD (23.9 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XM has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the EX40 (8.7 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the XM to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the XM uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The EX40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has 2.8 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 4.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the EX40.

The XM has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EX40 with its rear seat up (18.6 vs. 16 cubic feet). The XM has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EX40 with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

The XM’s cargo area is larger than the EX40’s in every dimension:

	XM	EX40
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42.5”/77”	34.9”/65.7”
Max Width	49.9”	47.8”
Min Width	44”	39.5”
Height	31”	29.4”

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EX40’s (5952 vs. 2000 pounds).

A Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the XM, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the EX40.

The XM has a higher standard payload capacity than the EX40 (1041 vs. 960 lbs.).

The XM has a higher maximum payload capacity than the EX40 (1043 vs. 960 lbs.).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the EX40, the XM has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The XM’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The EX40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The XM has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The EX40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the XM to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the EX40.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the XM has standard extendable sun visors. The EX40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The BMW XM has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the EX40 Plus/Ultra.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the XM keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EX40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The XM has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the EX40.

The XM has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the EX40.

The BMW XM has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the EX40.

The XM’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The EX40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.