Compare the2022 Audi RS 6VS 2021 Volvo V90

The Audi RS 6 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 V90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the RS 6. But it costs extra on the V90.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the RS 6 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The V90 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the RS 6 and the V90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Audi RS 6 weighs 673 to 1047 pounds more than the Volvo V90. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 341 more horsepower (591 vs. 250) and 332 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 258) than the V90 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RS 6’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 275 more horsepower (591 vs. 316) and 295 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 295) than the V90 T6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi RS 6 is faster than the V90 T6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the RS 6’s fuel efficiency. The V90 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the RS 6 and the V90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All RS 6s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the V90.

The RS 6 has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the V90 (19.3 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the RS 6’s brake rotors are larger than those on the V90:

The RS 6 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The V90 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the RS 6 has larger standard tires than the V90 (275/35R21 vs. 255/40R19). The RS 6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V90 (285/30R22 vs. 255/40R19).

The RS 6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the V90’s standard 40 series tires. The RS 6’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the V90’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS 6 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the V90. The RS 6’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the V90.

The front and rear suspension of the RS 6 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the V90, which uses coil springs in front and transverse leafs springs in the rear. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The RS 6 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The RS 6’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 V90 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RS 6 is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the V90.

The RS 6 Avant handles at .94 G’s, while the V90 T6 AWD R-Design pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RS 6 Avant executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the V90 T6 AWD Inscription (24.2 seconds @ .81 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the RS 6 Avant is quieter than the V90 T6 AWD R-Design (39 vs. 44 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the RS 6 a Mid-Size Station Wagon car, while the V90 is rated a Small Station Wagon.

The RS 6 has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the V90 (101 vs. 98).

The RS 6 has .3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the V90.

The RS 6 Avant has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the V90 with its rear seat up (30 vs. 25.5 cubic feet). The RS 6 Avant has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the V90 with its rear seat folded (63.8 vs. 53.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RS 6’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The V90 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the RS 6 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The RS 6’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The V90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RS 6’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The V90 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RS 6 has standard extendable sun visors. The V90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The RS 6 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the V90.

The Audi A6/S6/RS 6 outsold the Volvo 90 Series by over six to one during the 2021 model year.