Compare the2023 Audi Q8VS 2023 Volvo XC60

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q8. But it costs extra on the XC60.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Q8 Prestige helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The XC60 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Q8 and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q8 is safer than the Volvo XC60:

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 Q8 is safer than the Volvo XC60:

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 Q8’s reliability 14 points higher than the XC60.

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 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 8 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 88 more horsepower (335 vs. 247) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (335 vs. 295) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 310) than the XC60 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi Q8 is faster than the Volvo XC60:

Both the Q8 and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Q8s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Q8 has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC60 (22.5 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Q8’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the XC60:

For better traction, the Q8 has larger tires than the XC60 (285/45R21 vs. 235/60R18). The Q8’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC60 (285/45R21 vs. 265/35R22).

The Q8’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC60’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q8 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60. The Q8 Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the XC60.

The front and rear suspension of the Q8 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q8’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the XC60 (117.9 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q8 is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the XC60.

The Q8 Prestige handles at .83 G’s, while the XC60 Recharge Core pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q8 Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC60 B5 Core AWD (26.9 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Q8 has .1 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Q8’s rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Q8 has a much larger cargo volume than the XC60 with its rear seat up (30.5 vs. 24.4 cubic feet).

The Q8’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in almost every dimension:

The Q8’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC60’s (7700 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the Q8 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC60. 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 Q8’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 XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Q8 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A manual rear sunshade is optional in the Q8 and power rear side window sunshades are optional in the Q8 (except Premium) to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC60 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The Q8 Prestige offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the XC60.

The Q8 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 XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.