Compare the2023 Volvo S90VS 2023 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the A6’s blind spot costs extra.

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. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the A6.

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 and rearview cameras.

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.

The S90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 34 more horsepower (295 vs. 261) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 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 120 more horsepower (455 vs. 335) and 154 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 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 travel with zero emissions for 38 miles. The A6 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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.

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:

For better traction, the S90 has larger tires than the A6 (255/35R20 vs. 245/45R19).

The S90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A6’s standard 45 series tires. The S90’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile 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).

For better maneuverability, the S90’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the A6’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

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 standard 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 Ultimate 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 standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the A6.

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.

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