Compare the2022 Volvo XC40VS 2021 Audi Q3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The XC40 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The Q3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XC40 offers an optional CTA Auto Brake that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The XC40 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Q3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the XC40 has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the Q3.

The XC40’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 Q3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XC40 and the Q3 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, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo XC40 is safer than the Audi Q3:

	XC40	Q3
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	200	326
Neck Injury Risk	30%	39%
Neck Stress	209 lbs.	343 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	35 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	343	346
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	35%
Neck Stress	156 lbs.	186 lbs.
Neck Compression	66 lbs.	83 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volvo XC40 is safer than the Audi Q3:

	XC40	Q3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	78	88
Hip Force	320 lbs.	333 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	119	159
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	237	504
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	411 lbs.	485 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC40 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 63 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Q3 was last a “Top Pick Plus” in 2019 but no longer qualifies.

Warranty

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC40 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q3.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the XC40 has a standard 800-amp battery. The Q3’s 680-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the XC40’s reliability 36 points higher than the Q3.

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.

Engine

The XC40 T4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (187 vs. 184) than the Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The XC40 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (248 vs. 228) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the XC40 T5 is faster than the Q3 45 TFSI:

	XC40	Q3
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	85.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the XC40 gets better mileage than the Q3:

			MPG
XC40
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
Q3
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/28 hwy

The XC40 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Q3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XC40 T5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q3:

	XC40 T5	Q3
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.4 inches	11.8 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		12.2 inches

The XC40 stops much shorter than the Q3:

	XC40	Q3
60 to 0 MPH	111 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XC40 is .8 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Q3.

The XC40 T5 R-Design AWD handles at .86 G’s, while the Q3 Premium Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XC40 T5 R-Design AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Q3 Premium Plus (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the XC40’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Q3’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

Chassis

The Volvo XC40 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 200 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The design of the Volvo XC40 amounts to more than styling. The XC40 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .34 Cd. That is lower than the Q3 (.36). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the XC40 get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The XC40 has 14 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (98 vs. 84).

The XC40 has .9 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

Cargo Capacity

The XC40’s cargo area is larger than the Q3’s in almost every dimension:

	XC40	Q3
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	34.9”/65.7”	34”/65”
Max Width	41.7”	54”
Min Width	39.5”	39”
Height	29.4”	28”

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the XC40’s optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The XC40’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q3’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Ergonomics

The XC40 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When three different drivers share the XC40, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Q3 doesn’t offer a memory system.

The XC40’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 Q3’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 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC40 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the XC40’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Q3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC40 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Q3 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The XC40’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the XC40 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Q3’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the XC40 and the Q3 offer available heated front seats. The XC40 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q3.

On extremely cold winter days, the XC40’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Model Availability

The XC40 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

The XC40 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the XC40 will retain 46.39% to 55.1% of its original price after five years, while the Q3 only retains 44.62% to 45.25%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volvo XC40 will be $1055 to $9900 less than for the Audi Q3.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volvo XC40, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Audi Q3 isn't recommended.

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