Compare the2022 Audi S5 SportbackVS 2022 Volvo V60 Cross Country

The Audi S5 Sportback 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 V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the S5 Sportback and the V60 Cross Country 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, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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 S5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 99 more horsepower (349 vs. 250) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the V60 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi S5 Sportback is faster than the Volvo V60 Cross Country:

Regenerative brakes improve the S5 Sportback’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the S5 Sportback and the V60 Cross Country have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All S5 Sportback’s 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 V60 Cross Country.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The V60 Cross Country requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the S5 Sportback’s brake rotors are larger than those on the V60 Cross Country:

The S5 Sportback stops much shorter than the V60 Cross Country:

For better traction, the S5 Sportback has larger standard tires than the V60 Cross Country (255/35R19 vs. 215/50R18). The S5 Sportback’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the V60 Cross Country (265/30R20 vs. 235/45R19).

The S5 Sportback’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 V60 Cross Country’s standard 50 series tires. The S5 Sportback’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the V60 Cross Country’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S5 Sportback has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the V60 Cross Country.

The front and rear suspension of the S5 Sportback uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V60 Cross Country, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The S5 Sportback offers an available 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. The V60 Cross Country’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The S5 Sportback Prestige handles at .93 G’s, while the V60 Cross Country pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The design of the Audi S5 Sportback amounts to more than styling. The S5 Sportback has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is lower than the V60 Cross Country (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the S5 Sportback get better fuel mileage.

The engine in the S5 Sportback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V60 Cross Country. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S5 Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the V60 Cross Country.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the S5 Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The V60 Cross Country doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Audi S5 comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Volvo V60 Cross Country isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or four door.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the Volvo 60 Series by 30% during the 2021 model year.