Compare the2022 Audi e-tronVS 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge

The Audi e-tron 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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The e-tron has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

An active infrared night vision system optional on the e-tron helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera and near-infrared lights to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the e-tron and the C40 Recharge 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Audi e-tron weighs 948 to 1257 pounds more than the Volvo C40 Recharge. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 e-tron its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 76 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The C40 Recharge has not been tested, yet.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Audi 20th in reliability. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 4 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The e-tron S’ standard electric motors produce 94 more horsepower (496 vs. 402) and 231 lbs.-ft. more torque (717 vs. 486) than the C40 Recharge’s electric motors.

The e-tron’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the e-tron’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C40 Recharge:

For better traction, the e-tron has larger standard tires than the C40 Recharge (255/50R20 vs. 235/45R20). The e-tron’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C40 Recharge (265/45R21 vs. 235/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the e-tron offers optional 21-inch wheels. The C40 Recharge’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The front and rear suspension of the e-tron uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the C40 Recharge, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The e-tron has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The C40 Recharge’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The e-tron has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The e-tron’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the e-tron’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the C40 Recharge (115.1 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the e-tron is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the C40 Recharge.

The front grille of the e-tron uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The e-tron has 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 3 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the C40 Recharge.

The e-tron has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the C40 Recharge (28.5 vs. 17.3 cubic feet).

The e-tron’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the C40 Recharge’s (4000 vs. 2000 pounds).

The e-tron 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 C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat in the C40 Recharge, the e-tron Prestige has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The e-tron Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the e-tron to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The C40 Recharge doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The e-tron has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the C40 Recharge.