Compare the2027 BMW iX3 VS 2026 Volvo EX40

The BMW iX3 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, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the iX3. But it costs extra on the EX40.

The BMW iX3’s optional Surround View has integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Volvo EX40 lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

Both the iX3 and the EX40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The BMW iX3 weighs 531 to 747 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 iX3 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 iX3’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 53 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 iX3’s electric motors produces 215 more horsepower (463 vs. 248) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (476 vs. 310) than the EX40 Single Motor’s standard electric motor. The iX3’s electric motors produces 61 more horsepower (463 vs. 402) than the EX40 Twin Motor’s optional electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the iX3 gets better mileage than the EX40:

			MPGe
iX3
	AWD	20" Summer Tires Electric Motors	125 city/110 hwy
		21" Summer Tires Electric Motors	112 city/98 hwy
		21" All Season Tires Electric Motors	111 city/98 hwy
		22" Summer Tires Electric Motors	111 city/97 hwy
		20" All Season Tires Electric Motors	107 city/97 hwy
EX40
	FWD	Single Electric Motor	118 city/94 hwy
	AWD	Twin Electric Motors	103 city/85 hwy

The iX3 can travel longer on a full charge than the EX40 on a full charge:

			Miles
iX3
	AWD	20" Summer Tires Electric Motors	434 miles
		21" All Season Tires Electric Motors	399 miles
		21" Summer Tires Electric Motors	398 miles
		22" Summer Tires Electric Motors	392 miles
		20" All Season Tires Electric Motors	383 miles
EX40
	FWD	Single Electric Motor	296 miles
	AWD	Twin Electric Motors	260 miles

The iX3’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.

The iX3’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.

For better traction, the iX3 has larger standard tires than the EX40 (255/45R20 vs. 235/50R19). The iX3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EX40 (F:255/40R21 & R:275/40R21 vs. F:235/50R19 & R:255/45R19).

The iX3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the EX40’s standard 50 series front tires. The iX3’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the EX40’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the iX3 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the EX40. The iX3’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the EX40.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the iX3’s wheelbase is 7.7 inches longer than on the EX40 (114.1 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the iX3 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than on the EX40.

The design of the BMW iX3 amounts to more than styling. The iX3 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .24 Cd. That is significantly lower than the EX40 (.329) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the iX3 get better fuel mileage.

The iX3 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The EX40 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The iX3 has 3 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the EX40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the iX3’s rear seats recline. The EX40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The iX3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EX40 with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 18.9 cubic feet). The iX3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EX40 with its rear seat folded (65 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

The iX3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EX40’s (4400 vs. 2000 pounds).

Trailer Stabilization Control is standard on the iX3, 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the EX40, the iX3 has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The iX3’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The EX40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The iX3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, 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 iX3 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.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the iX3 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 iX3 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the EX40.

The iX3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The EX40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.