Compare the2026 BMW 5 SeriesVS 2025 Volvo S90

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 S90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the 5 Series and the S90 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.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 5 Series for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volvo pays for maintenance for the S90 (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

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 23 points higher than the S90.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 62 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

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 550e xDrive’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 28 more horsepower (483 vs. 455) than the S90 T8’s optional 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the 530i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the S90 B6:

On the EPA test cycle the 550e xDrive running on electricity gets better mileage than the S90 T8 running on electricity (65 city/73 hwy vs. 66 city/67 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the 5 Series running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the S90 running its gasoline engine:

Both the 5 Series and the S90 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 S90 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 S90 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 S90 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 540i xDrive’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S90:

The 5 Series stops shorter than the S90:

The 5 Series’ optional 275/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S90’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 5 Series offers optional 21-inch wheels. The S90’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The front and rear suspension of the 5 Series uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S90, 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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 5 Series is .2 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the S90.

The 530i xDrive handles at .95 G’s, while the S90 pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 530i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S90 (25.8 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

The BMW 5 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Volvo S90.

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 S90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 5 Series has 1 inch more front headroom, 4.1 inches more front hip room, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 4 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the S90.

The 5 Series has a much larger trunk than the S90 (18.4 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

The 5 Series’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The S90 Luxury Package doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The engine in the 5 Series is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

A Condition-Based Service Display is standard on the 5 Series to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, brake fluid replacement, and vehicle inspections, based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the S90.

The 5 Series’ standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The 5 Series’ headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the S90’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The 5 Series is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the S90, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the 5 Series offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the S90.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the 5 Series equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The S90, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the BMW 5 Series empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

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 S90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The 5 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW 5 Series, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo S90 isn't recommended.

The BMW 5 Series outsold the Volvo 90 Series by almost 9 to one during 2024.