BMW X3 VS Volvo XC60: Price, Features, Specs

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the middleweight SUV championship match-up between our two contenders, the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60! Today's competition is sponsored in part by the Quantrell Auto Group in Lexington, KY, and the expert finance department at Quantrell Volvo Cars. Our exhibition this evening will be judged by an automotive enthusiast that needs no introduction: YOU! This contest will be decided by points earned from value-based comparisons or technical knock-out. Without further ado, in this corner, weighing in at 4,317lbs, the 3rd generation, German-born 2022 BMW X3! In our other corner, weighing in at 4,222lbs and standing strong from Sweden, is the 2022 Volvo XC60! SUVs, shake hands, return to your corners, and let's get ready to rumble!!!

Round 1: A Demonstration Of Standard Features

The bell rings, and the fully confident 2022 BMW X3 comes dancing out of its corner because of its reputation as the ultimate driving machine. The 1st generation BMW X3 e85 sits ringside with the 2nd generation BMW X3 f25 to see how the new X3 can compete. The new X3 immediately launches into a precision-tuned display of its bold-looking LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and LED fog lights. The X3 tries to further intimidate its opponent by showing off its standard SensaTec vinyl interior. The XC60 isn't having any of it. The Volvo counters that sorry offensive by the X3 and shows drivers what real luxury is about with its standard leather interior. The Volvo XC60 gets the X3 on the ropes when it starts to flash its LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and LED fog lights. Oh my! Did you see that? The XC60 just fended off a huge panic flurry from the X3. The XC60 used its standard active bending headlights to anticipate the X3 coming from the far corner, and now the XC60 smashes the X3 across the grill with its high-mounted standard rear LED taillights. The X3 is stumbling. It never saw that coming. Maybe it would have if it was equipped with it as standard, like the XC60. The bell rings, and the X3 shuffles back to its corner, wondering just how ultimate it really is.

Round 2: a Presentation of Performance

The bell rings, and what's this? The Brawling Bimmer from Bavaria has changed its costume between rounds. It looks like for an extra price of $4,600, the X3 gets some fancy badging, trim, and the Active Driving Assistant (which includes forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic braking). The crowd is impressed; the BMW X3 has stepped it up. When the XC60 answers, the Bimmer stumbles back. The XC60 includes all of those safety features as standard, in addition to lane-keep assistance and run-off-road correction. Is the BMW fighting fair? It wants to charge extra for comparable equipment, is that even legal? The judge will have to decide.

Shaken, but not stirred, the X3 fires back, demonstrating its racing heritage with available sports-tuned engine options. Proud of its 2.0L turbo 248HP engine, the BMW is finally on equal footing with the XC60, which also gives drivers a T5 2.0L turbo 248HP engine. The audience is shocked though, when the BMW revs up for an attack. The X3 fishtails wildly out of control because of its standard rear-wheel-drive. The XC60 easily maintains composure thanks to its standard, traction-enhancing, front-wheel-drive system. The BMW quickly recovers, adds on xDrive AWD, and plants itself firmly in the ring. The XC60 also adds on AWD but takes things one step further by strapping it to a 316HP T6 engine. The BMW X3 can't do that. So in an admirable display of increased strength, the X3 scores some points by flexing its green hybrid technology that gives it 288HP. But that's not going to be enough, folks. The XC60 unleashes its 400HP hybrid system and then absolutely clobbers the X3 with its 415HP hybrid drive system from Polestar.

The X3 still has a few tricks up its sleeves and pulls out its X3 M model. When the crowd sees the $69,995 fancied-up BMW X3 price tag, they gasp in horror when they realize you need to pay nearly $20K more in the Bimmer for equipment that comes standard in the XC60. The Bimmer is flabbergasted. Here comes the bell, and the XC60 lands a knock-out punch with its standard 12.3" digital drivers display and 9" touchscreen infotainment. The BMW goes down and can't get up! If only the BMW could have seen it coming. The Bimmer clearly has a problem with visibility. The only place for its gargantuan touchscreen display is popping right up out of the center of the dash. Too bad. And you see those analog instruments that come standard in the Bimmer? Yikes. Luxury carmakers still use those? I guess BMW will have to go back to the drawing board for next year, folks. What an upset! The BMW X3 diesel charges into the ring, throws a fit, and in a spectacle of poor sportsmanship, shows precisely why it's not allowed in this country anymore.

Quantrell Volvo Cars is the Home of True Champions

It's pretty clear to see who the winner-by-knock-out is, but we invite you to try an XC60 out for yourself. If you're looking for a Volvo XC60 lease near Louisville, we may have the models you love with the deals you want on the essential XC60 Momentum and sport-focused Volvo XC60 R-Design. If you're new to the Volvo brand and want to try an XC60 with even more substantial savings, we've got plenty of CPO and used Volvo XC60 SUVs, too. When you get into a new XC60 for sale at our Volvo Cars dealership, you join an automotive group that does everything to keep its customers happy for life. We offer Volvo Valet, Volvo Assurance, and Service by Volvo. Products and services that make life less complicated and driving a lot more fun. When you're ready, contact your Volvo specialist for assistance with any remaining questions. When it comes to protecting your family, your wallet, and your peace of mind, you'll be happy that the innovative XC60 is in your corner. Don't you think?

¹Prices shown are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), Base Price or Starting At price and excludes destination fees, taxes, title, license, and registration and/or electronic filing fees, dealer fees.