2025 Volvo XC60 vs. Competitors

Since its 2009 debut, the Volvo XC60 has offered a compelling alternative to luxury crossover shoppers looking for a European alternative to German brands. These advantages are even more appealing in today’s market crowded with premium compact crossovers. To put this into perspective, we’ll compare the XC60 against its traditional rivals, the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and BMW X3. Unless mentioned otherwise, our matchups look at each manufacturer's least expensive all-wheel-drive trim for the 2025 model year.

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Pricing

Buying or leasing an upscale vehicle can be a considerable investment. These two-row crossovers provide a modest entry point into premium brands without breaking the bank. The XC60 B5 Core starts at $47,050, while the Q5 Premium’s MSRP is $45,400. However, keep in mind that while a power moonroof is standard on the XC60, it’s an option for the Audi that will add $1,450, putting these competitors at nearly equal pricing. Sticker prices increase considerably for the GLC 300 4Matic ($51,250) and the BMW X3 30 xDrive ($49,950). A power moonroof is standard with the Mercedes, while the BMW is only available with a fixed-panel glass roof, a $1,400 upgrade.

Powertrains

All four of the models compared here have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine supported with a mild hybrid system to enhance fuel economy. The XC60’s powerplant makes 247 horsepower, considerably more than the 201 horsepower produced by the Q5. The GLC and X3 have identical output specifications, each producing 8 more horsepower than the Volvo. The XC60 can reach 60 mph from zero in 6.5 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds faster than the Audi. The others are quicker, but not by much. BMW reports that the X3 requires 6.0 seconds for a zero-to-60 mph run, while the GLC needs 6.1 seconds. Luxury crossover shoppers should know that premium fuel is recommended but not required for the XC60 and Q5, but it's mandatory for the GLC and X3.

Ratings

Edmunds’ expert ratings, which assess drivability, comfort, and other factors, put the XC60 on top with an 8.2 out of 10 rating. The GLC falls into second place at 8.0, with the Q5 trailing in third place at 7.6. The recent model changeover for the X3 means the 2025 edition of this BMW hadn’t yet been evaluated yet at the time of this writing.

Cost of Ownership

Putting a luxury crossover in your driveway goes beyond looking at window stickers. Savvy shoppers also consider long-term ownership costs. Edmunds dove into these details by estimating operating costs for these models over five years based on 15,000 miles of annual driving. Data is unavailable for the X3, so we’ll examine the XC60, Q5, and GLC. Overall, the XC60 is the cheapest to own, with a per-mile cost of $0.86. Meanwhile, the Q5 is tagged with $0.91 per-mile ownership. GLC owners pay the most: $0.98 per mile. The Volvo has the lowest depreciation, followed closely by the Audi. The loss in value over time hits the Mercedes the worst. Further helping XC60 owners are the lowest projected insurance, maintenance, and repair costs compared to the Q5 or GLC.

Dimensions

Given that all four of these crossovers fall into the compact crossover segment and share European market influences, it’s not usual for them to have similar interior and exterior dimensions. However, a few key dimensions favor the XC60. With 41.5 inches of front legroom, the driver and copilot of the XC60 have more room to stretch out compared to the 40.2 to 40.9 inches in the others. There's also more front shoulder room in the Volvo, 58.2 inches, compared to 57.3 to 57.9 inches for the Audi, Mercedes, and BMW. The XC60’s 37.4-foot turning radius is the champion for navigating tight maneuvers. In contrast, the Q5 and GLC need 38.7 feet, while the X3 requires 40.0 feet.