2016 head-to-head · Small SUV

2016 BMW X3 Diesel vs Volvo XC70

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,850/ year to fuel
30 MPG

AWD · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 8-speed automatic · 30 MPG

✓ Cheaper to run
$1,788/ year to fuel
26 MPG

The 2016 Volvo XC70 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,788 a year to fuel (26 MPG), versus $1,850 for the 2016 BMW X3 Diesel (30 MPG). That's roughly $62 a year, or about $308 over five years.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • BMW X3 Diesel
  • Volvo XC70

Side by side

BMW X3 DieselVolvo XC70
$1,850 Your annual fuel cost $1,788
30 MPG Combined efficiency 26 MPG
27 MPG City 23 MPG
33 MPG Highway 30 MPG
— Passenger volume 98 cu ft
— Cargo volume 37 cu ft
345 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 346 g/mi
7/10 EPA fuel economy score 6/10
6/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 6/10
Diesel Powertrain Gas
Diesel Fuel Regular gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
8-speed automatic Transmission 8-speed automatic
AWD Drivetrain FWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

BMW X3 Diesel vs Volvo XC70 across model years

  • BMW X3 Diesel
  • Volvo XC70

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Among 60 2016 small SUVs, the BMW X3 Diesel ranks 22nd and the Volvo XC70 18th for lowest fuel cost.

The powertrains differ: the BMW X3 Diesel is a diesel, while the Volvo XC70 is a conventional gas model.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2016 BMW X3 Diesel or the 2016 Volvo XC70?

Measured by cost to drive, the Volvo XC70. The BMW X3 Diesel is rated 30 MPG combined and the Volvo XC70 26 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2016 BMW X3 Diesel vs. the Volvo XC70 per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.70/gal diesel fuel and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,850 for the BMW X3 Diesel and $1,788 for the Volvo XC70.

BMW X3 Diesel vs Volvo XC70 in other years

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