Compare the2022 Audi S5 SportbackVS 2021 Volvo V60

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 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 S5 Sportback. But it costs extra on the V60.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the S5 Sportback’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The V60 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the S5 Sportback and the V60 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, 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 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi S5 Sportback is faster than the V60 T5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

Both the S5 Sportback and the V60 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.

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

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

The S5 Sportback stops much shorter than the V60:

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

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’s standard 45 series tires. The S5 Sportback’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the V60’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. The S5 Sportback’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the V60.

The front and rear suspension of the S5 Sportback uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V60, 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 Prestige handles at .93 G’s, while the V60 Momentum pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The engine in the S5 Sportback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V60. 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.

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 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi S5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The V60 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Audi S5 comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Volvo V60 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.