Compare The Volvo S60 Vs. BMW 3 Series

Any driver considering a luxury sedan as their next vehicle is going to be intrigued by a Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series comparison. These two cars are iconic in the midsize luxury segment, they bring the heat in first-class cabin technology, and they're simply enjoyable to drive. Both offer superior value, but only one will be your best fit.

Join the Gunther Volvo Cars Delray Beach team as we compare Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series trims below. From specs and safety to interior design and dimensions, we'll explore all the best features of these modern-day machines. Of course, we're partial to the Volvo S60 thanks to its elevated safety systems, gas and plug-in powertrains, and lower starting MSRP, but let's see which sedan you prefer once all the cards are on the table.

Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series Performance and Safety

Always pushing the envelope toward innovation to give their drivers the best choices possible, Volvo Cars designed the 2025 Volvo S60 with gas and plug-in hybrid powertrain options and a deluxe suite of safety features. Unfortunately, the 2025 BMW 3 Series has dropped its PHEV variant, leaving you with gas-only engines and higher fuel costs. The BMW 3 Series also falls short in safety, with zero protective upgrades to the new model year.

Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series Specs

An entry-level Volvo S60 trim comes with a B5 FWD configuration that pairs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Even in its most basic design, this setup gives the Volvo S60 a fun-loving 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque for a 6.4-second 0-60. If all-wheel drive is your preference, take home a Volvo S60 B5 AWD powertrain with the same engine specs and slightly faster acceleration. For ultimate power and money-saving performance, choose the Volvo S60 Plug-In Hybrid, which generates 455 horsepower, 523 pound-feet of torque, and a 4.3-second race to 60 mph with its dynamic T8 AWD powertrain.

The 2025 BMW 3 Series comes in two engine styles with minor tweaks in performance values as you move through the lineup. Core models are fitted with a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid system that's quite similar to the Volvo S60 and creates 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque in RWD or AWD configurations. To compete with the Volvo S60 Plug-In Hybrid specs, you'll need to choose an upper-level variant of the BMW M engine, which is available with either 386, 473, 503, or 523 horsepower – but all of these setups will burn much more fuel than the Volvo S60 PHEV – and come with a much higher MSRP.

Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series Safety

When you purchase or lease a luxury vehicle, you can expect a high level of safety and driver assistance on board. Behind the glitz and glamor of touchscreens and decor, the Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series should protect you and your passengers to the utmost degree. Sadly, this is not the standard that BMW engineers have prioritized.

While the 2025 BMW 3 Series comes with essential safety elements like a forward-collision warning system and Automatic Emergency Braking, the Volvo S60 takes your security to the next level with these compelling safety features:

• Cross-Traffic Alert with Autobrake Support
• Whiplash Injury Protection
• Driver's side knee airbags
• Tempered side windows
• Intelligent Driver Information System
• BLIS™

Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series Interior

Beyond engine specs and safety features, the next critical comparison when deciding between the Volvo S60 or BMW 3 Series is interior design and comfort. Both models are spacious and well-equipped – they are luxury vehicles, after all. Both feature elegant decorative accents throughout their cabins and put next-generation amenities at your fingertips, which we'll discuss in more detail below, but the new Volvo S60 stands out for a number of reasons.

With leatherette or textile fabrics on deck, the new Volvo S60 makes it easy to customize your build. Seats are minimalist yet ergonomic for optimum support on long drives, while the center console is uncluttered and can be fitted with an opulent Orrefors® crystal gear selector. Metal Mesh inlays add a fresh, contemporary feel to the Volvo S60 interior, and a gorgeous panoramic roof lets sunshine fill your cabin.

The new BMW 3 Series interior is also charming, with high-quality materials outfitting its cabin and perforated Sensatec leatherette covering its seats. You can upgrade to Vernasca leather in your BMW 3 Series build, but you'll need to either pay an upcharge or choose a top-tier BMW M trim that's significantly more expensive. Thankfully, every 2025 BMW 3 Series edition comes with a moonroof, so its cabin and the Volvo S60 interior both feel light and airy.

BMW 3 Series vs. Volvo S60 Dimensions

When we compare the Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series models, we see that the vehicles have similar dimensions. The Volvo S60 is 188.1 inches long, 75.4 inches wide, and 56.6 inches tall, making it the ideal size for a midsize sedan. The BMW 3 Series, on the other hand, is 185.9 inches long, 71.9 inches wide, and 56.8 inches tall.

A quick review of Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series interior specs shows us that although both cars have very similar front and rear headroom and identical rear legroom, the Volvo S60 has slightly more front legroom at 42.3 inches. The BMW car does have a larger standard trunk, so if you tend to pack loads of things on every drive, that might become a consideration.

BMW 3 Series vs. Volvo S60 Technology and Price

Like many of our new Volvo cars for sale, the 2025 Volvo S60 takes the crown in powertrain options, safety features, and cabin design. Now, let's see how it compares to the BMW 3 Series in the technology department!

Interestingly enough, both contestants in the Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series matchup deliver in this category. The Volvo sedan boasts a seamlessly integrated touchscreen for controlling music and media, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, and Google Built-In services for easy navigation. In comparison, the BMW sedan also uses two digital displays for managing music and finding directions but does not use Google for any of its navigational features.

Last but certainly not least in your luxury sedan decision process is a comparison of each vehicle's price. While this BMW 3 Series vs. Volvo S60 review has made it clear that the Volvo S60 packs a bigger punch with its PHEV powertrain option and elevated safety systems, it's worth noting that a Core model BMW 3 Series costs $1,705 more than an entry-level Volvo S60. However, the BMW car does not come with $1,705 worth of extra features or space.

Level Up Your Drive in a New Volvo S60 Today

Let's wrap up this Volvo S60 vs. BMW 3 Series guide with the most important question of all: Have you decided which sedan is right for you? As we've outlined above, the new Volvo sedan offers far better value for your hard-earned money.

The Volvo S60 opens the doors to a plug-in hybrid powertrain, it protects your passengers with a Whiplash Protection System and Autobrake Support, and it accomplishes all these feats at a lower starting price of only $42,600¹ compared to the BMW 3 Series and its $45,500 starting MSRP.² Call or visit Gunther Volvo Cars Delray Beach to explore our current Volvo S60 lease and finance offers to see how quickly you could get behind the wheel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Volvo S60 more luxurious than the BMW 3 Series?

The Volvo S60 and BMW 3 Series both come standard with impressive luxuries, including leatherette upholstery, premium sound systems, and glass roofs. The Volvo S60, however, has a lower starting price than the BMW 3 Series without a noticeable decrease in luxuries. The Volvo S60 also has a compelling lineup of safety features that the BMW sedan just can't match. Visit us soon for a test drive!

Are Volvo cars cheaper to maintain than BMW vehicles?

BMW vehicles have been known for requiring frequent and costly repairs. Volvo automobiles, on the other hand, are rugged and durable. Many of us have seen Volvo cars from two decades ago on the roads and highways of the United States. The new Volvo S60 has the same durability in its DNA and is likely to cost you less in maintenance fees than a BMW 3 Series would.

How many miles per gallon does a Volvo S60 get?

The answer to this question depends on whether you choose the front- or all-wheel-drive model of our sleek new Volvo S60. The front-wheel-drive version scores an EPA-estimated 26/35/30 MPG (City/Highway/Combined),³ while the all-wheel drive variant gets an EPA-estimated 25/33/28 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).⁴ Visit Gunther Volvo Cars Delray Beach for a test drive!

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.

²Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) excludes destination & handling fee of $995, tax, title, license, and registration. Starting MSRP may vary as a result of equipment capacity restrictions.

³EPA estimated range is 26 MPG city/35 MPG highway/30 MPG combined (B5 FWD). Your actual range will vary for many reasons, including but not limited to, driving conditions, how and where you drive, how you maintain your vehicle, battery-package/condition, and other factors. See https://www.fueleconomy.gov/

⁴EPA estimated range is 25 MPG city/33 MPG highway/28 MPG combined (B5 AWD). Your actual range will vary for many reasons, including but not limited to, driving conditions, how and where you drive, how you maintain your vehicle, battery-package/condition, and other factors. See https://www.fueleconomy.gov/