Compare the2026 BMW XMVS 2026 Volvo EX40

The BMW XM has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 1468 to 1684 pounds more than the Volvo EX40. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volvo pays for maintenance for the EX40 (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

There are over 25 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’ 2025 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 62 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 10 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 490 more horsepower (738 vs. 248) and 428 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 310) than the EX40 Single Motor’s standard electric motor. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 336 more horsepower (738 vs. 402) and 244 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 494) than the EX40 Twin Motor’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW XM is faster than the EX40 Twin Motor electric motors:

The XM Label’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 339 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.

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:

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:

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’s optional 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 optional on the EX40.

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 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the EX40.

The XM Label handles at .97 G’s, while the EX40 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XM Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the EX40 Ultra (23.9 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .73 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, 6.7 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 4.2 inches more rear legroom, 5.6 inches more rear hip room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the EX40.

The XM has a 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:

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 (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, tachometer, 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.

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 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.