Compare the2023 Volvo C40 RechargeVS 2023 Audi e-tron

The C40 Recharge has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The e-tron doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The C40 Recharge has standard CTA Auto Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The e-tron doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The C40 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 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the C40 Recharge and the e-tron 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 C40 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.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volvo C40 Recharge is faster than the Audi e-tron (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the C40 Recharge gets better mileage than the e-tron:

The C40 Recharge can travel longer on a full charge than the e-tron on a full charge:

The C40 Recharge stops shorter than the e-tron:

For better maneuverability, the C40 Recharge’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the e-tron’s (37.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Volvo C40 Recharge may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1000 to 1300 pounds less than the Audi e-tron.

The C40 Recharge is 1 foot, 6.2 inches shorter than the e-tron, making the C40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The C40 Recharge has 1.3 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more front legroom than the e-tron.

The C40 Recharge’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the e-tron’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the C40 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 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the C40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The e-tron doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the C40 Recharge has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the e-tron only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the C40 Recharge offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The e-tron doesn’t offer cornering lights. The C40 Recharge also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volvo C40 Recharge has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the e-tron.