Compare the2024 Volvo XC90VS 2023 Audi e-tron Sportback

Safety
Warranty
Fuel Economy and Range
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC90 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Audi e-tron Sportback has only front height-adjustable seat belts.

The Volvo XC90 offers an optional built in child booster seat. It’s more crash worthy than an added child seat because of its direct attachment to the seat. Audi doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the e-tron Sportback. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC90 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC90 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC90’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The e-tron Sportback’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XC90 has standard CTA Auto Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The XC90’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 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XC90 and the e-tron Sportback 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo XC90 is safer than the Audi e-tron Sportback:

	XC90	e-tron Sportback
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	137	212
Neck Stress	252 lbs.	253 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	217	323
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	38%
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	67 lbs.

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volvo XC90 is safer than the Audi e-tron Sportback:

	XC90	e-tron Sportback
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	94	123
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	44 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	209	279
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	60 G’s
Hip Force	383 lbs.	631 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC90 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The e-tron Sportback has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC90 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the e-tron Sportback.

Fuel Economy and Range

The XC90 T8’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 541 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The e-tron Sportback’s range is only 212 to 225 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 30 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.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XC90’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the e-tron Sportback (275/45R20 vs. 265/45R21).

The XC90’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the e-tron Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

The XC90 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 Sportback; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XC90’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the e-tron Sportback (117.5 inches vs. 115 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the XC90 is 1 inch wider in the front and .5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the e-tron Sportback.

Chassis

The Volvo XC90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 1150 pounds less than the Audi e-tron Sportback.

Passenger Space

The XC90 has standard seating for 7 passengers; the e-tron Sportback can only carry 5.

The XC90 has .8 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more rear headroom than the e-tron Sportback.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the XC90’s middle row seats recline. The e-tron Sportback’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The XC90’s cargo area provides more volume than the e-tron Sportback.

	XC90	e-tron Sportback
Third Seat Folded	35.6 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	27.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	85.7 cubic feet	54.5 cubic feet

Towing

The XC90’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the e-tron Sportback’s (5000 vs. 0 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC90 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 Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The XC90’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 Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC90 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC90 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the e-tron Sportback only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC90 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC90 also has standard 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 XC90 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The XC90 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 Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Volvo XC90, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.

Motor Trend selected the XC90 as their 2016 Sport Utility of the Year. The e-tron Sportback has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC90 as the 2016 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The e-tron Sportback has never been chosen.

The Volvo XC90 outsold the Audi e-tron by almost three to one during 2022.