Compare the2022 Volvo V60 Cross CountryVS 2021 Audi S5 Sportback

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The V60 Cross Country has standard CTA Auto Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The V60 Cross Country 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 S5 Sportback’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the V60 Cross Country 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 S5 Sportback.

The V60 Cross Country’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 S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the V60 Cross Country and the S5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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.

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, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the V60 Cross Country its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 68 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The S5 Sportback is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the V60 Cross Country 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 S5 Sportback.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the V60 Cross Country has a standard 210-amp alternator. The S5 Sportback’s standard 110-amp alternator and largest (optional) 150-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the V60 Cross Country has a standard 800-amp battery. The S5 Sportback’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 29th in initial quality. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the V60 Cross Country’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the S5 Sportback (113.2 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the V60 Cross Country is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S5 Sportback.

For better maneuverability, the V60 Cross Country’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the S5 Sportback’s (37.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The V60 Cross Country has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S5 Sportback (94 vs. 91).

The V60 Cross Country has 1 inch more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear legroom than the S5 Sportback.

The V60 Cross Country has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The S5 Sportback has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the V60 Cross Country uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The V60 Cross Country 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 S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the S5 Sportback, the V60 Cross Country offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the V60 Cross Country has a standard rear wiper. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the V60 Cross Country has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The V60 Cross Country also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the V60 Cross Country to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.