Compare the2025 BMW i5VS 2025 Volvo EC40

The BMW i5 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 EC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the i5 and the EC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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.

There are over 24 percent more BMW dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the i5’s 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 i5’s reliability 15 points higher than the EC40.

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 i5 has more powerful engines than the EC40:

As tested in Car and Driver the i5 M60 electric motors is faster than the Volvo EC40 electric motors:

The i5 has a standard locking charge port with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The EC40 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The i5’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 EC40 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the i5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the EC40:

The i5 stops much shorter than the EC40:

For better traction, the i5 has larger standard tires than the EC40 (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R20). The i5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EC40 (F:255/35R21 & R:285/30R21 vs. 235/45R20).

The i5’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 EC40 Core’s standard 50 series tires. The i5’s optional 255/35R21 front and 285/30R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the EC40’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the i5 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The EC40’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The i5 M60 offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The EC40 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The i5 M60 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the EC40.

The i5 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 EC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i5’s wheelbase is 11.5 inches longer than on the EC40 (117.9 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the i5 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the EC40.

The i5 eDrive40 handles at .87 G’s, while the EC40 Ultimate pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The i5 has .4 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the EC40.

The i5 has a much larger cargo volume than the EC40 with its rear seat up (17.3 vs. 15 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the i5 offers cargo security. The EC40’s sport utility bodystyle defeats cargo security.

The i5’s standard Comfort Exit raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The EC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The i5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning, 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 EC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the i5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The EC40 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the i5 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The i5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the EC40.

The BMW i5 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. Homelink® is only available on the EC40 Plus/Ultimate.

The i5’s 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 EC40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i5, based on reliability, safety and performance.