2026 BMW 3 Series vs. 2025 Volvo S60

The BMW 3 Series is the pick for buyers who want efficiency and a broad range of specifications to choose from, since TrueCar says it gets better gas mileage at 28 city/35 highway mpg against the S60's 26 city/35 highway, though the S60 undercuts it on price by $5,705 at $43,645 versus $49,350. The 2025 Volvo S60 is also the final model year for the nameplate in the U.S., since Volvo is discontinuing it, so buyers who want a current model with ongoing support and dealer stock should lean toward the 3 Series.

Which to choose, and why

Price and running cost

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the BMW 3 Series gets better gas mileage, 28 city and 35 highway mpg, against 26 city and 35 highway for the Volvo S60, and that choosing between the two comes down to price up front versus cost at the pump. If starting price matters most, TrueCar says the Volvo S60 has the edge, with a $43,645 MSRP against $49,350 for the BMW 3 Series, a difference of $5,705.

Why this is the S60's final year

The Volvo S60 is being discontinued in the U.S. after the 2025 model year, alongside the S90, as Volvo moves its lineup toward SUVs, so a 2026-model-year 3 Series is being cross-shopped here against the S60's last American model year rather than an equally current rival. Buyers who want dealer support and parts availability for years to come should weigh that against the S60's lower price.

Space and used-market value

Ranking de Coches (opens in a new tab) says both offer enough space for four adults, with the S60 tending to prioritize ergonomics and rear-seat spaciousness while the 3 Series optimizes space through interior design, and that the 3 Series offers more trunk volume by official figures while the S60 balances volume against access. Carvago (opens in a new tab) says that among roughly four-year-old used cars, the third-generation S60 comes out significantly better on towing capacity than the BMW 3 Series (G20 generation), and that the rarer S60 represents good value thanks to a steeper price drop as a nearly-new used car, while the 3 Series' larger production run makes it easier to find an exact desired specification.

Questions buyers ask

Which gets better gas mileage, the BMW 3 Series or the Volvo S60?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the BMW 3 Series does, at 28 city and 35 highway mpg against the S60's 26 city and 35 highway.

Is the Volvo S60 still being made?

No. The 2025 model year is the S60's last in the U.S., as Volvo discontinues the nameplate alongside the S90.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

BMW 3 Series: 4 records · Volvo S60: 3 records.

Decision field	BMW 3 Series	Volvo S60
Exact EPA records	4	3
Model / option labels	4	3
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, 3L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid	2L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid, 2L 4-cyl SIDI; PHEV
Transmissions	Automatic (S8)	Automatic (S8)
Fuel types	Premium	Premium, Premium and Electricity
EPA classes	Compact Cars	Compact Cars
Combined efficiency	29–31 MPG/MPGe	28–31 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	40 miles
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2550–2750 per year	$2550–2850 per year

Head to head

BMW 3 Series vs. Volvo S60: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	BMW 3 Series	Volvo S60
Starting price (KBB base)	$49,350	$43,795
Top trim price (KBB base)	$65,650	$59,295
Horsepower	255-386 hp	247-455 hp
Torque	295-398 lb-ft	258-295 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	4.1-5.6 sec	4.3-6.2 sec
Curb weight	3,644-4,008 lb	3,909-4,415 lb
Length	185.9 in	188.1 in
Wheelbase	112.2 in	113.1 in
Cargo volume	16.9 cu ft	11.6 cu ft
Towing capacity	n/a	2,000-5,000 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	4 years	4 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 and 2025 model years); prices are KBB base prices.

The Volvo S60 starts $5,555 lower: $43,795 against $49,350 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Volvo S60 leads: 455 hp against 386 hp.
On peak torque, the BMW 3 Series leads: 398 lb-ft against 295 lb-ft.
The BMW 3 Series is quicker to 60 mph: 4.1 sec against 4.3 sec.
The BMW 3 Series is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,644 lb against 3,909 lb.
On length, the Volvo S60 leads: 188.1 in against 185.9 in.
On wheelbase, the Volvo S60 leads: 113.1 in against 112.2 in.
On cargo volume, the BMW 3 Series leads: 16.9 cu ft against 11.6 cu ft.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 4 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the BMW 3 Series and the Volvo S60.

2026 BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 series and has been produced in eight generations.

Source: BMW 3 Series (Wikipedia)

2025 Volvo S60

The Volvo S60 is a compact executive car manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars since 2000. Introduced as the successor to the Volvo S70, the model has been produced in three generations. The first generation was introduced in 2000 and is based on the Volvo P2 platform.

Safety: Standard gear on all S60s includes an improved City Safety collision avoidance system based on Volvo's Vision 2020. The system can now help the driver do an evasive maneuver and can detect and mitigate oncoming vehicles at intersections. An optional Pilot Assist system is equipped into the model.

Source: Volvo S60 (Wikipedia)

Engines. The second generation S60 began production in Ghent, Belgium on May 17, 2010, with an expected annual production of 90,000 vehicles. Official photos were released in November 2009, and the car was publicly unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. It debuted as a 2011 model in North America.

Production. Production began in September 2018 and ended in June 2024 in Ridgeville, South Carolina. Production continued in China for Asian markets as well as Australia, places were traditional sedans still find buyers. The third generation of the Volvo S60 is the first Volvo manufactured in the United States.

Recent recalls (6 campaigns across the latest model years)

December 2025, Back Over Prevention:Software. Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed… Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
May 2025, Back Over Prevention:Software. Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in… Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
November 2023, Air Bags:Frontal. Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly. Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026BMW 3 Series4 configurations →02 · 2025Volvo S603 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

14 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 BMW 3 Series or the 2025 Volvo S60?

Efficiency

The 2026 BMW 3 Series lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (30 vs. the 2025 Volvo S60's 29.5 MPG/MPGe).