Compare the2025 BMW 5 SeriesVS 2025 Volvo S60

The BMW 5 Series 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 S60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the 5 Series and the S60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 5 Series’ warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 5 Series’ reliability 11 points higher than the S60.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 5 Series second among upper midsize premium cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The S60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 55 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 7 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The 5 Series has more powerful engines than the S60:

As tested in Consumer Reports the 530i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the 530i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid xDrive running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the S60 B5 AWD running its gasoline engine (27 city/35 hwy vs. 25 city/34 hwy).

Both the 5 Series and the S60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All 5 Seriess have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The S60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the BMW 5 Series uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The S60 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The 5 Series’ 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 S60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 540i xDrive’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S60:

The 5 Series stops much shorter than the S60:

For better traction, the 5 Series has larger standard tires than the S60 (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R18). The 5 Series’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S60 (F:255/35R21 & R:285/30R21 vs. 235/45R18).

The 5 Series’ optional 255/35R21 front and 285/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S60’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 5 Series has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S60. The 5 Series’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the S60.

The front and rear suspension of the 5 Series uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The 5 Series offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 5 Series’ wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the S60 (117.9 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 5 Series is .9 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the S60.

The 530i xDrive handles at .95 G’s, while the S60 AWD pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The front grille of the 5 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 530i xDrive is quieter than the S60 Core:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 5 Series a Mid-size car, while the S60 is rated a Compact.

The 5 Series has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the S60.

The 5 Series has a much larger trunk than the S60 (18.4 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

The engine in the 5 Series is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 5 Series’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the 5 Series to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The S60 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The 5 Series offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the S60.

The BMW 5 Series has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the S60.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 5 Series has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S60.

The 5 Series’ Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park 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 S60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 5 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo S60 isn't recommended.

The BMW 5 Series outsold the Volvo 60 Series by 8% during 2024.