Compare the2023 Audi A6VS 2023 Volvo S60

The Audi A6 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 S60 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 A6. But it costs extra on the S60.

Both the A6 and the S60 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi A6 is safer than the Volvo S60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Audi A6 is safer than the Volvo S60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the A6’s reliability 40 points higher than the S60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Audi vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 17 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Audi higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 With 24 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Audi higher than Volvo.

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 A6 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 14 more horsepower (261 vs. 247) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the S60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the A6 and the S60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All A6s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The S60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The A6 has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the S60 (19.3 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The A6 offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The S60 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the A6’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the S60:

The A6 stops shorter than the S60:

For better traction, the A6 has larger standard tires than the S60 (245/45R19 vs. 235/45R18). The A6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S60 (255/40R20 vs. 235/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the A6 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S60. The A6’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the S60.

The front and rear suspension of the A6 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S60, 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 A6 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 S60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the A6’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the S60 (115.1 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the A6 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and .7 inches wider in the rear than on the S60.

The A6 Prestige handles at .93 G’s, while the S60 AWD pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The A6 Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S60 Plus AWD (24.9 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the A6 a Mid-size car, while the S60 is rated a Compact.

The A6 has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S60 (99 vs. 96).

The A6 has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the S60.

The A6 has a much larger trunk than the S60 (13.7 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

The A6’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the S60’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

The engine in the A6 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 11% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

The A6’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 S60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The A6’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 S60 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the A6 has standard extendable sun visors. The S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the A6 Prestige to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The S60 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the A6 (except Premium) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The S60 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The A6 Prestige offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the S60.

The A6 Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The S60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Insurance will cost less for the A6 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the A6 with a number “3” insurance rate while the S60 is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the A6 is less expensive to operate than the S60 because typical repairs cost much less on the A6 than the S60, including $278 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi A6, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo S60 isn't recommended.