Compare the2023 Volvo S90VS 2023 Audi e-tron GT

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 e-tron GT. 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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer a whiplash protection 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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the S90 and the e-tron GT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the S90 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 95 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The e-tron GT has not been tested, yet.

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 e-tron GT.

The S90 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 472) than the e-tron GT’s standard electric motors.

The S90 T8’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 531 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The e-tron GT’s range is only 232 to 238 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 22.5 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 10 hours and 30 minutes.

For more complete vehicle control the S90 has a manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

An eight-speed automatic is available on the Volvo S90, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a 2-speed automatic is available for the e-tron GT.

The S90 stops shorter than the e-tron GT:

For better traction, the S90 has larger tires than the e-tron GT (255/35R20 vs. 245/45R20).

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 e-tron GT’s standard 45 series front tires.

The S90 B6 has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Recharge) 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 GT; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S90’s wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the e-tron GT (120.5 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Volvo S90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 750 pounds less than the Audi e-tron GT.

The S90 has .3 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 8.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the e-tron GT.

The S90 has a much larger trunk than the e-tron GT (13.5 vs. 9.2 cubic feet).

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

With its sedan body style, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the S90 offers cargo security. The e-tron GT’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

The S90’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 GT’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S90 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are standard in the S90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

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 e-tron GT 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 e-tron GT.

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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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