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Home›Comparisons›Volvo S60 vs BMW 5 Series
Spec Battle Updated 20 April 2026 5 min read

Volvo S60 vs BMW 5 Series

A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.

Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.

Data checked: specs 29 Aug 2026, price 24 Jun 2026

Specifications in progress

Volvo S60: we're still completing price, kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and warranty, plus 1 other.

A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.

SpecVolvoBMW
Price (RRP)TBC$114,900
Fuel typePetrolPetrol
Power270kW140kW
0-100 km/h—5.6s
Fuel Economy7.8 L/100km6.8 L/100km
Boot (seats up)380L520L
Towing—2,000kg
Warranty—5yr / Unlimited
ANCAP SafetyNo data5 Stars

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Price Breakdown

Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.

Safety Rundown

ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.

Feature Showdown

Both come with modern infotainment systems.

The BMW 5 Series counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Volvo S60 lines up producing 270kW and 470Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a AWD layout.

The BMW 5 Series responds with a Petrol making 140kW and 310Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds.

The Volvo S60 has the clear power advantage at 270kW vs 140kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Volvo S60 measures 4,635mm long on a 2,776mm wheelbase, 425mm shorter than the BMW 5 Series at 5,060mm (2,995mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 5 Series generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 380L in the Volvo S60 and 520L in the BMW 5 Series, giving the BMW 5 Series a 140L advantage.

0

Turning Circle

Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.

11.3m to 11.9m

TightestVolvo S60 Polestar AWD (2.0 I4)Tightest turn at 11.3m, easiest U-turns and carparks
Volvo S60 Polestar AWD (2.0 I4)
11.3mTighter
Best
BMW 5 Series 520i Sedan
11.9m
Worst
Volvo S60 Polestar AWD (2.0 I4)
11.3m · Average

Based on 11.3m turning circle:

  • U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
  • Standard parking bay
  • Tight carparks
  • Narrow laneways
BMW 5 Series 520i Sedan
11.9m · Average

Based on 11.9m turning circle:

  • U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
  • Standard parking bay
  • Tight carparks
  • Narrow laneways

Turning circle ratings

Under 10m, Excellent
10 to 11m, Good
11 to 12m, Average
Over 12m, Large
Compare U-turns side by side

Turning Circle · U-turn compare

kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars
Tap to add/remove
TightestVolvo S60Tightest turn at 11.3m, needs the least road to swing around
Volvo S60Tightest11.3 m
Average△ 3-point
BMW 5 Series11.9 m
Average△ 3-point
Scrub the turn

0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep

Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.

Under 10 m · Excellent 10–11 m · Good 11–12 m · Average Over 12 m · Large

Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.

True Cost to Own

Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,223/year for the Volvo S60 and $1,938/year for the BMW 5 Series. That is a $285 annual difference in favour of the BMW 5 Series.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Volvo S60 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Volvo's approach to design and ownership experience.

Buy the BMW 5 Series if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.

The Verdict

BMW 5 Series: Top CarSorted Score, 68 vs 39

The BMW 5 Series comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (68 vs 39), taking 3 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: technology (BMW 5 Series ahead by 68), safety (BMW 5 Series ahead by 57), practicality (BMW 5 Series ahead by 28). The BMW 5 Series will save you roughly $285 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BMW 5 Series has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.

One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.

Common questions

Which is cheapest, Volvo S60 and BMW 5 Series?

The BMW 5 Series is the cheapest at $114,900 before on-road costs.

Which is the most fuel-efficient?

The BMW 5 Series uses the least fuel at 6.8L/100km on the combined cycle.

What are the ANCAP safety ratings?

BMW 5 Series holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Volvo S60, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.

Which has the most boot space?

The BMW 5 Series has the largest boot at 520L with the seats up.

Which can tow the most?

The BMW 5 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.

Which is the most powerful?

The Volvo S60 makes the most power at 270kW.

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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.

Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026

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