Verdict
The BMW 3 Series is the lighter, lower sedan choice at 1,590 kg and 1,435 mm tall, with rear-wheel drive, a 235 km/h top speed and useful extras such as a head-up display and automated parking. The Volvo XC60 counters with 246 hp, 350 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time, versus 184 hp, 300 Nm and 7.4 seconds. Its 483-litre boot is only 3 litres larger, but the panoramic roof, 360-degree camera and five-year warranty make the XC60’s RM61,088 premium easier to justify for family use.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want rear-wheel drive, a 235 km/h top speed, head-up display and automatic parallel or perpendicular parking for less money.
Pick the Volvo XC60 if you need SUV height, all-wheel drive, 246 hp, a panoramic glass roof and a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM267,800; Volvo XC60 RM328,888.
- Performance: BMW 3 Series 184 hp, 300 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds; Volvo XC60 246 hp, 350 Nm and 6.9 seconds.
- Driveline: BMW 3 Series rear-wheel drive; Volvo XC60 all-wheel drive.
- Dimensions: BMW 3 Series 1,435 mm tall and 1,827 mm wide; Volvo XC60 1,655 mm tall and 1,902 mm wide.
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series two-year manufacturer warranty plus three-year extended warranty; Volvo XC60 five-year manufacturer warranty.
- Driver assistance: BMW 3 Series gets a head-up display and auto parking; Volvo XC60 gets active cruise control with steering assist and a 360-degree camera.
3 Series
- RM61,088 cheaper.
- 235 km/h top speed and rear-wheel drive.
- Head-up display, paddle shifts and automated parking.
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the Volvo’s 246 hp and 350 Nm.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Volvo’s five years.
- No panoramic glass roof or 360-degree camera.
XC60
- 246 hp, 350 Nm and 6.9-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
- All-wheel drive, active cruise control with steering assist and 360-degree camera.
- Panoramic glass roof, integrated rear child boosters and five-year warranty.
- Costs RM61,088 more.
- 180 km/h top speed is 55 km/h below the BMW’s.
- No head-up display, paddle shifts or automatic parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM267,800✓ | RM328,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM379✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,000 rpm | 246 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,350 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 82 mm × 94.6 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 30 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds | 6.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,708 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,902 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 2,450 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres | 483 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | — |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electric for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated 2-stage booster child seat cushions for the outer seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Sunshade for Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used 3 Series & XC60 for sale
3 Series vs XC60 FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Volvo XC60 better?
The Volvo XC60 is better for family-oriented equipment and traction, with all-wheel drive, rear integrated booster cushions and a five-year warranty. Choose the BMW 3 Series for lower purchase cost, rear-wheel drive, a head-up display and auto parking.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC60 costs RM61,088 more than the BMW 3 Series: RM328,888 versus RM267,800.
Which is quicker, the BMW 3 Series or Volvo XC60?
The Volvo XC60 is quicker to 100 km/h, taking 6.9 seconds against 7.4 seconds for the BMW 3 Series. It also produces 246 hp and 350 Nm, compared with 184 hp and 300 Nm.
