BMW X3 vs Volvo XC90
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BMW X3 scores higher, 73 vs 67
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
BMW X3
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 140kW
- Economy
- 7.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 570L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 67
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Volvo XC90
22 of 27 standard · no option data · 5 no dataFrom
$97,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbocharged 48V mild hybrid B5
- Power
- 183kW
- Economy
- 8.1 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 301L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$86,100RRP
- no option data for this car
$97,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Fuel figures here come from different test cycles (BMW X3: WLTP; Volvo XC90: ADR 81/02), so they are not compared like-for-like and no fuel winner is shown.
Price and cost per week
BMW X3 20 xDrive
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $375 a week in repayments ($86,100 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Volvo XC90 Plus B5 Bright
$97,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $430 a week in repayments ($97,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The BMW X3 starts $11,890 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$375/wk(≈$1,625/mo)
Estimate on the BMW X3 at $86,100 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Volvo XC90 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BMW X3 and 6 on the Volvo XC90.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW X3
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006539 · published 17 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- 8 more on the model page.
Volvo XC90
- REC-006368 · published 23 Jun 2025Due to a software issue, there is a risk that the vehicle’s braking performance may be temporarily disabled if the car has been coasting downhill for at least 1 minute and 30 seconds in ‘B’ mode (in the plug-in hybrid cars) or One Pedal Drive (in the pure electric cars).Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-006319 · published 2 Apr 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may be defective.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2021
- REC-006168 · published 8 Nov 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the brake pedal rod may not have been fastened to the specified torque and could detach.Year range on the notice: 2020
- 19 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The BMW X3 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volvo XC90 gets a 11.2-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volvo XC90 counters with head-up display and panoramic roof. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW X3 gets merino leather upholstery while the Volvo XC90 offers leather.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW X3 uses a Petrol producing 140kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Volvo XC90 responds with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbocharged 48V mild hybrid B5 making 183kW and 350Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.
The Volvo XC90 has the clear power advantage at 183kW vs 140kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volvo XC90 is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X3 measures 4,755mm long on a 2,865mm wheelbase, 198mm shorter than the Volvo XC90 at 4,953mm (2,984mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volvo XC90 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 570L in the BMW X3 and 301L in the Volvo XC90, giving the BMW X3 a 269L advantage. The Volvo XC90 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Volvo XC90 leads with a 2,400kg braked capacity vs 2,400kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Volvo XC90's turning circle is 0.1 m tighter, 12.0 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BMW X3 costs about $2,138 a year (7.5 L/100km) and fuel for the Volvo XC90 about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo XC90). Capped-price servicing: no data (BMW X3), 5 years (Volvo XC90).
Where each one leads
The BMW X3: the lower starting price ($86,100 against $97,990) and the bigger boot with the seats up (570L against 301L).
The Volvo XC90: more power (183kW against 140kW).
The Verdict
BMW X3 scores higher, 73 vs 67
The BMW X3 scores 73 to the Volvo XC90's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 4 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (BMW X3 ahead by 21 points), value (BMW X3 ahead by 6 points). Boot space with the seats up: 570L in the BMW X3, 301L in the Volvo XC90.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$375/wk(≈$1,625/mo)
Estimate on the BMW X3 at $86,100 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the BMW X3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW X3 and Volvo XC90?
The BMW X3 is the cheapest at $86,100 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volvo XC90 by $11,890.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW X3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Volvo XC90, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X3 has the largest boot at 570L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW X3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,400kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volvo XC90 makes the most power at 183kW. The Volvo XC90 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.7s.
Track the BMW X3 & Volvo XC90
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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