BMW X3 versus Volvo XC60?

Having owned a 2001 BMW X5 for 10 years now wondering which to purchase the BMW X3 or Volvo XC 60 within the next month or so based on:

  1. Safety
  2. Reliablity

There are few inherent safety advantages of one over the other. Of the two, my limited personal experience with BMW(1) and friends XC, I would recommend you stay with BMW.
Personally, choosing a car has more to do with what serves my needs best and trying out all models regardless of name works better for me.

Equal safety and better overall value may be found in other makes.