Compare the2025 Toyota bZ4XVS 2025 Volvo EC40

The Toyota bZ4X has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps 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 bZ4X and the EC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the bZ4X 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the EC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the EC40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the bZ4X’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 98 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 24th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 25th.

On the EPA test cycle the bZ4X gets better mileage than the EC40:

The bZ4X stops shorter than the EC40:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the bZ4X’s wheelbase is 5.8 inches longer than on the EC40 (112.2 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For greater off-road capability the bZ4X has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the EC40 (8.1 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the bZ4X to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota bZ4X may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 500 pounds less than the Volvo EC40.

The bZ4X has 1.2 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear headroom than the EC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the bZ4X’s rear seats recline. The EC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The bZ4X has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EC40 with its rear seat up (27.7 vs. 15 cubic feet). The bZ4X has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EC40 with its rear seat folded (56.9 vs. 48.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the bZ4X easier. The bZ4X’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the EC40’s liftover is 29.2 inches.

The bZ4X’s cargo area is larger than the EC40’s in almost every dimension:

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the bZ4X has standard extendable sun visors. The EC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the bZ4X Limited 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 bZ4X Limited’s Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The EC40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the bZ4X owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the bZ4X will cost $545 to $1430 less than the EC40 over a five-year period.

The bZ4X will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the bZ4X will retain 51.93% to 52.49% of its original price after five years, while the EC40 only retains 43.8% to 44.65%.

The Toyota bZ4X outsold the Volvo EC40 by 42% during 2023.