Compare the2022 Volvo S90VS 2022 Audi A6

The Volvo S90 offers optional built in child booster seats. They’re more crash worthy than an added child seat because of their direct attachment to the seat. Audi doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the A6. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; S90 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

The S90 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The A6 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The S90 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. Only the A6 Premium Plus/Prestige offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the S90 has a standard rear 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. Only the A6 Premium Plus/Prestige has a rear cross-path warning system.

The S90’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 A6 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the S90 and the A6 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, 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.

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the S90 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 A6.

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.

The S90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 55 more horsepower (316 vs. 261) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the A6 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The S90 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 65 more horsepower (400 vs. 335) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (472 vs. 369) than the A6 55 TFSI’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the S90 running on electricity gets better mileage than the A6:

On the EPA test cycle the S90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the A6:

The S90 T8 can drive on battery power alone for up to 21 miles. The A6 must run its internal combustion engine to move.

The S90 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The A6 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volvo S90 higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi A6 (5). This means the S90 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A6 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is available on the Volvo S90, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6.

For better stopping power the S90’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A6:

The S90’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A6’s optional 40 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S90’s wheelbase is 5.4 inches longer than on the A6 (120.5 inches vs. 115.1 inches).

The S90 has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A6 (102 vs. 99).

The S90 has .9 inches more front legroom and 3 inches more rear legroom than the A6.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the S90’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The A6 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The S90 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 A6 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the S90 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The A6 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the S90’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the A6’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The S90 Inscription has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The A6 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The S90 has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The A6 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the S90 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the S90 will cost $1310 less than the A6 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volvo S90 will be $3290 to $9585 less than for the Audi A6.

The S90 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2017. The A6 has never been an “All Star.”