Compare the2022 Volvo XC40 RechargeVS 2022 Audi e-tron Sportback

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XC40 Recharge offers an optional CTA Auto Brake that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The XC40 Recharge’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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XC40 Recharge and the e-tron Sportback 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, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC40 Recharge 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 e-tron Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XC40 Recharge third among small premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The e-tron Sportback isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the XC40 Recharge gets better mileage than the e-tron Sportback:

The XC40 Recharge has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the e-tron Sportback; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the XC40 Recharge’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the e-tron Sportback’s (37.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Volvo XC40 Recharge may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1000 pounds less than the Audi e-tron Sportback.

The XC40 Recharge is 1 foot, 6.8 inches shorter than the e-tron Sportback, making the XC40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC40 Recharge has .9 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more rear headroom than the e-tron Sportback.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC40 Recharge uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The XC40 Recharge’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The e-tron Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC40 Recharge has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the e-tron Sportback only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC40 Recharge has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC40 Recharge also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The XC40 Recharge’s optional Park Assist Pilot can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the XC40 Recharge owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XC40 Recharge will cost $4790 to $6895 less than the e-tron Sportback over a five-year period.

The XC40 Recharge will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the XC40 Recharge will retain 40.59% of its original price after five years, while the e-tron Sportback only retains 40.32% to 40.53%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volvo XC40 Recharge will be $17652 to $29584 less than for the Audi e-tron Sportback.

The Volvo XC40 outsold the Audi e-tron by over three to one during the 2021 model year.