Compare the2022 Volvo XC40 RechargeVS 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XC40 Recharge offers an optional CTA Auto Brake that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Full-time four-wheel drive is standard on the XC40 Recharge. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the e-tron Sportback.

The XC40 Recharge’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XC40 Recharge and the e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available around view monitors.

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC40 Recharge for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for tire rotations, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the e-tron Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volvo vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volvo 31st in initial quality. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

The XC40 Recharge has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the e-tron Sportback; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the XC40 Recharge’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the e-tron Sportback’s (37.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Volvo XC40 Recharge may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1000 pounds less than the Audi e-tron Sportback.

The XC40 Recharge is 1 foot, 6.8 inches shorter than the e-tron Sportback, making the XC40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC40 Recharge has .9 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more rear headroom than the e-tron Sportback.

The XC40 Recharge’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The e-tron Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC40 Recharge has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the e-tron Sportback only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC40 Recharge has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC40 Recharge also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The XC40 Recharge’s optional Park Assist Pilot can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an automated parking system.