Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2017 BMW 3 Series VS 2017 Volvo S60 Near Phoenix, AZ

The 3 Series Sedan’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The S60 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the 3 Series Sedan and the S60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW 3 Series Sedan is safer than the Volvo S60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW 3 Series Sedan is safer than the Volvo S60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 3 Series Sedan’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 3 Series Sedan has a standard 170-amp alternator. The S60’s standard 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 3 Series Sedan has a standard 900-amp battery. The S60’s standard 600-amp battery and largest (T6) 700 amp battery aren’t as powerful.

The battery on the 3 Series Sedan is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures which can degrade battery life. By keeping the 3 Series Sedan’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The S60’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 3 Series Sedan third among compact premium cars in their 2016 Initial Quality Study. The S60 isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2016 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 58 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2016 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 14th in reliability, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 16th.

The 3 Series Sedan’s 2.0 turbo diesel produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the S60 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

As tested in Consumer Reports the 330i is faster than the S60 T5 (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the 328d gets better fuel mileage than the S60 T5:

On the EPA test cycle the 3 Series Sedan AWD gets better fuel mileage than the S60 AWD:

For better stopping power the 3 Series Sedan’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the S60:

The 3 Series Sedan’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the S60 T5 are solid, not vented.

The 3 Series Sedan stops much shorter than the S60:

The 3 Series Sedan has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 3 Series Sedan’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the S60 (110.6 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

The 3 Series Sedan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the S60’s (61.7% to 38.3%). This gives the 3 Series Sedan more stable handling and braking.

The 340i xDrive handles at .94 G’s, while the S60 T6 pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 330i is quieter than the S60 T5 Drive-E Inscription:

The 3 Series Sedan has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S60 (96.2 vs. 93).

The 3 Series Sedan has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more rear headroom and 1.6 inches more rear legroom than the S60.

The 3 Series Sedan has a larger trunk than the S60 (13 vs. 12 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 3 Series Sedan’s available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The S60 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The 3 Series Sedan (except 320i) offers an available heads-up display which projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The S60 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left down on the 3 Series Sedan w/Comfort Access the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the S60 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 3 Series Sedan’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The S60’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 3 Series Sedan 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 S60.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 3 Series Sedan is less expensive to operate than the S60 because typical repairs cost much less on the 3 Series Sedan than the S60, including $90 less for front brake pads and $327 less for a fuel pump.

The BMW 3 Series Sedan has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 3 Series Sedan third among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The S60 isn’t in the top three.

The 3 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 20 of the last 23 years. The S60 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The 3 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 13 of the last 21 years. The S60 hasn’t been picked since 2011.

The BMW 3 Series outsold the Volvo 60 Series by almost three to one during the 2016 model year.