BMW 3 Series vs Volvo XC60

What's the difference?

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the BMW 320i M Sport. It’s fun to drive and I felt connected to what the car was doing on the road. The harder ride may not appeal to some but I didn’t mind it. The cosy back seat and boot mean it will probably suit a smaller family best and one which doesn’t have to worry about carrying a lot of gear around regularly, but it suited my needs just fine.

I reckon this is a car for those drivers who don’t want to compromise on performance but still have a kid or two. If you’re after the cushioned comfort of a Merc, this won’t appeal but I didn't want to give this one back and happily give it a firm 8/10.

My son liked the sports car looks and enjoyed the amenities in his row. He gives it a 10/10.

The facelifted Volvo XC60 Ultra B5 Dark is the car at school pick-up that doesn’t need to brag. It just gets on with things and it looks good doing it. It offers a strong mix of family-focused features, comfortable and composed road manners and thoughtful practicality throughout the cabin.

The updated media system is crisp and responsive, though it could use a few tweaks to be truly intuitive. Overall, the XC60 mild-hybrid remains a solid choice for families who value understated luxury, comfort and safety over flash. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does what it does well.

Sharper than its predecessor, the new 320i has LED everything with the rear lights being longer and curving around to the sides of the car.

The classic 'kidney' grille is darkened and more pronounced, with the black panelling extending to the rear to create an unapologetically sporty presence. A presence that’s accentuated by the twin exhausts.

The batcave interior with its black headliner, black seats… black everything, looks smart and stylish.

You do have a fair bit of harder touchpoints throughout but the customisable ambient lighting helps to soften the overall effect.

With its 2068mm width, 4709mm length and 1435mm height, the sedan makes its presence known without feeling cumbersome to manoeuvre. Urban dwellers need not fear their local car park!

The XC60 has a graceful, poised curbside presence. Its wide stance and smooth body panels give it a confident silhouette, while the redesigned grille with dark accents, integrated intake vents (both faux and real), and those sharp 'Hammer of Thor' headlights tie it all together. It’s not trying to be sexy, but it is undeniably handsome. It's the kind of SUV that turns heads quietly rather than shouting for attention.

Inside, the vibe is pure Scandi chic. There’s a refreshing lack of plasticky surfaces, with everything feeling solid and premium to the touch. The supple Nappa leather seats and expansive panoramic sunroof instantly make the cabin feel airy and refined.

Taking centre stage on the dash is a new 11.2-inch portrait-style media display. The layout is a little too reminiscent of an oversized iPad for my taste, but the crisp graphics and quick touch response are big pluses. Adding a touch of craftsmanship, the crystal Orrefors gear shifter and genuine driftwood inlays across the dash and centre console bring warmth and texture you don’t find in most rivals.

Is this facelift breaking new ground? Not really. But then, it doesn’t need to. Volvo has long been firmly planted in the premium end of the field and this update simply shows it's still cultivating all the right qualities.

For such a sleek looking sedan, it’s generous up front with plenty of head and legroom.

You can adjust the seat to sit quite low and both front seats have extendable under-thigh supports, which should excite taller drivers. 

My 189cm (6’2”) brother has the 328i and is very comfortable but taller front passengers will encroach on back seat passenger comfort.

The front seats are quite firm on the backside, they also lack adjustable lumbar support, so expect to stretch the kinks out on a longer trip.

The amenities and tech feel well thought out and easy enough to use. The 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system looks great and has the best-looking graphics I’ve sampled.

The BMW system is intuitive to use once you get used to it. If you’re not interested in using the touchscreen, you can also utilise the rotary-wheel for menu selections.

There’s also Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus built-in satellite navigation.

The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel is customisable and the information displayed simply but you won’t really look at it because of the head-up display.

Front occupants enjoy a wireless charging pad for their smart phone, a USB-A and USB-C port plus a 12-volt socket. Rear passengers get a couple of USB-C ports, too.

The storage is good for this size sedan but overall passenger room takes priority, but the glove box and middle console will suffice for everyday use.

While it may not excite others, I love the big bottle holders in the doors. They’re large enough for my big 1.5L bottle and angled for easy access. These are found in the rear doors as well.

Back seat passengers enjoy climate control, directional air vents, two cupholders, netted map pockets and reading lights.

My six-year old was happy with the amenities and lower ground clearance because he felt comfortable and had his independence.

The boot offers a good capacity of 480L and the aperture isn’t too narrow, so you can comfortably access items if they roll to the back.

I had plenty of room for my little family’s needs but if you’re a larger family, you may need to get strategic with gear storage.

Being a base model, you do miss out on a powered tailgate, which is a shame but not too much of an issue given this is a sedan and the lid isn’t heavy.

There’s also no spare tyre or even a puncture repair kit but you have run-flats, so you should be able to limp to a service centre if need be.

The XC60 is spacious without being sprawling. The front row is the sweet spot for comfort, with generous leg and headroom plus ergonomic seats that offer excellent under-thigh and side-bolster support. They also bring the luxury of heating, ventilation and even massage functions.

The rear row uses firmer padding, and while the backrest looks fairly flat, it’s deceptively supportive. Adults should be comfortable back there on longer journeys. Access is only slightly compromised by the wheel arch eating into the rear aperture, but otherwise it’s an easy SUV to get in and out of. My eight-year old pointed out that the rear doors are on the heavy side, though, and often need a good slam to latch properly.

Storage is well thought out throughout the cabin. Up front you get a decent glove box, cupholders, drink bottle holders, door bins, a dedicated phone tray that doubles as the wireless charging pad and a shallow centre console with two USB-C ports. One niggle. The cupholders don’t grip cups as snugly as they should.

The rear row has a 60/40 split with a 'ski-port' door and a fold-down armrest. And in the back, there are door bins with bottle holders, a fold-down armrest with cupholders and net map pockets. Rear passengers are also spoiled with dual-zone climate control, four directional air vents and two more USB-C ports.

One of the XC60’s best family-friendly features is the integrated booster seats, which have two height settings and fold neatly back into the base when not in use. They’re a lifesaver if you have kids who feel like they've 'aged out' of car seats but aren’t quite tall enough to go without. Of course, there are also ISOFIX mounts and three top-tether points if you still need to install child seats.

Out back, the boot offers a flat loading space, a powered tailgate with kick function and a healthy 613L of storage with all seats up (up to 1543L when the rear row is folded). You also get a 12-volt socket, a proper temporary spare tyre, and if you’ve got the optional air suspension (as per our test model) you can raise or lower the boot height for easier loading.

Tech usability is a bit of a mixed bag. The new 11.2-inch media display is sharp and responsive, and it comes pre-loaded with Google apps like Maps, Spotify and Assistant. But the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto isn't wireless, which feels like a miss at this price point.

The Bluetooth is patchy, with calls and music sometimes not syncing properly. A wired connection works better, especially for my iPhone 15 Pro Max, but I'm not a fan of leaving my phone on charge all the time. If you’re already familiar with Volvo or Polestar’s system, you’ll feel at home, but first-timers may need a little time to adjust.

There are two mild-hybrid variants in the XC60 line-up, and the one we’re driving here is the flagship Ultra B5 Dark. Priced at $81,990, before on-roads, it costs about $7000 more than the entry-level Plus B5 Bright, but that premium buys you a longer list of included features that makes the Ultra Dark feel like the sweet spot of the range. Especially considering Volvo also offers two plug-in hybrid XC60s, but those command up to $20K more!

In terms of market rivals, the XC60 sits right in the middle. The Audi Q5 TFSI starts at $81,000, while the Lexus NX 350h Sports Luxury AWD asks $87,900, both before on-road costs.

Standard equipment is generous. The Ultra Dark gets a panoramic sunroof and Nappa leather upholstery, with the electric front seats offering heating and ventilation functions plus a heated steering wheel for winter comfort. There's a 360-degree view camera system with surrounding parking sensors and a park-assist feature.

Tech upgrades include a new 11.2-inch media display with in-built navigation, Google apps, and wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, backed up by four USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and a wireless charging pad. There's also a Volvo phone app, which allows users to pre-condition the climate prior to entry, have a digital key and program the spare key for any kids who might want to borrow the car!

Families will appreciate the thoughtful touches like a powered tailgate with kick function, built-in child booster seats in the rear row, a temporary spare tyre (a welcome feature), four-zone climate control and lots of storage throughout the cabin. Keyless entry sensors on every door add another layer of convenience.

Our test car was also fitted with just over $5000 worth of options, including the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, active air suspension, tinted rear windows, and even front seat massage functions. When you consider that many rivals charge extra for equipment that comes standard here, the XC60 Ultra B5 Dark makes a strong case for itself on value.

The 320i M Sport has the ‘baby’ engine in the 3 Series line-up but the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol powertrain still delivers on power with a maximum output of 135kW/300Nm. 

This is a rear-wheel drive and has an eight-speed auto-transmission which delivers very smooth gear changes.

Despite having the smaller engine, it can still go from 0-100km/h in just 7.4 seconds.

The Ultra B5 Dark tested here is all-wheel drive and has a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol mild-hybrid engine. It produces up to 183kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

The 'mild hybrid' tag comes from a 48-volt system paired with an integrated starter-generator. It’s not a full hybrid, so you won’t be gliding around silently on electric power alone, but it helps smooth out stop-start driving, boost efficiency and add a little extra shove when you put your foot down.

The result is an engine that feels lively in the city and confident out on the open road, with enough in reserve to make overtaking stress-free.

In a world with rising fuel prices, the efficiency of this decently powered sedan should excite you.

The official combined fuel cycle is 6.5L/100km. Real world testing saw my figure at 7.4L/100km after a mix of open-road and urban driving this week.

I thought that was great for how hard I drove it and for the power, you won’t be wincing when you put your foot down. I would expect it to be higher in an urban setting.

The 320i has a 59L fuel tank and based on the official combined cycle figure, you should get just over 900km of driving range, which is great, especially if you do 'roadies' like me!

Volvo claims combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel use of 7.6L/100km for the XC60 Ultra B5 Dark, which isn’t bad for a turbo-petrol but reminds you that this is only a mild hybrid. With a 71-litre fuel tank, you’re looking at a theoretical driving range of up to 934km which is great for a family SUV likely to see its fair share of school runs and road trips.

In my real-world testing, which included plenty of urban driving with one longer trip in the mix, I averaged 8.6L/100km. That’s a little higher than the claim, but still a respectable result overall.

There's a lot that I like about how this performs but a highlight is how eagerly the car responds when you accelerate.

However, it’s not unbridled power. There’s no bucking at the front or shuddering through the steering wheel. It’s controlled but still very fun.

The lower centre of gravity and coupe-like height of this does mean it handles corners well and the bolstered seats hold you firmly into place, meaning you can be free to drive this a little harder than you might normally. Which I did and can confirm it handles itself well.

This has the M Sport suspension, which means it’s stiff, but you feel very connected to the road.

You do get a lot of talk-back from bumps in the road but unless you hit a big pothole, you never feel rattled by them.

But it is a harder ride than other luxury models, which doesn’t bother me as I like the handling, but if you want limo-like comfort, look elsewhere.

The cabin is very nice to spend a lot of time in and relatively quiet, even at higher speeds.

The 11.4m turning circle and sleek dimensions makes it very handy to park, even in tight car parks. The nose is long but the front and rear parking sensors take out any ‘will I make it’ moments and the super clear reversing camera is great. 

There’s plenty of power on tap, with enough left in reserve when you really need to push it. Around town, the XC60 keeps up with traffic effortlessly, and out on the highway it never feels strained. The transmission is fairly punctual with its shifts, though you do need to drive it a little more assertively to avoid any lag when accelerating from a stop.

Visibility is excellent thanks to the big, wide windows and higher driving position. It’s also refreshing to have a wide rear window behind the C-pillar as it's something not all rivals manage.

On the road, the XC60 feels composed and comfortable. The cabin stays quiet even at highway speeds and the suspension soaks up the worst bumps without ever feeling floaty or disconnected. Handling is equally predictable, with steering and dynamics that feel natural and reassuring. Take a sharp corner at speed and you will notice a slight loss of composure but it rights itself quickly.

Day to day it’s also very car park friendly. Parking sensors and the 360-degree camera view make manoeuvring simple, though the video feed looks a little blurry at the edges. A more seamless stitch between camera angles would improve the presentation, but functionally it gets the job done.

While the 2026 Volvo XC60 hasn’t undergone ANCAP testing yet, it continues Volvo’s long-standing reputation for safety with a comprehensive suite of features. Standard equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping aid, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear collision warning, traffic sign recognition, driver attention warning and seven airbags - basically covering all of the essentials.

For families, there are integrated booster seats in the rear row, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and three top-tether anchor points. A stand-out feature is the programmable spare key, which is colour-coded in bright orange and allows you to set speed and speaker-volume limits. Which is ideal for nervous parents who share the car with teens or other young drivers.

Other practical safety touches include a protective first-aid kit and warning triangle, adaptive cruise control with stop/go function, parking assist, surrounding parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system.

The 320i comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is standard for this class.

You can choose between a three- or five-year capped-priced servicing plan. The five-year plan costs just $2150, or $430 a year, which is competitive for this class.

Like other BMWs, servicing intervals are condition-based, with the car letting you know when it needs to be serviced.

The XC60 is covered by a standard five-year/unlimited-km warranty, which is okay for its class, especially at the premium end. You can pre-purchase either a three- or five-year 'Volvo Genuine Service Plan'. The five-year plan will set you back $3870, which is steeper than many rivals, though Volvo sweetens the deal with five years' complimentary roadside assistance. Services are spaced at every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever comes first.

One thing for regional owners to keep in mind, while Volvo has a decent retail footprint, there are only 34 Volvo service centres in Australia. Depending on where you live, that can mean a long drive. In my case, the nearest Volvo service centre is almost two hours away. That adds travel time and inconvenience for regular maintenance or unscheduled work.