Compare the2024 Audi Q4 e-tronVS 2024 Volvo XC60

Both the Q4 e-tron and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 Q4 e-tron is safer than the Volvo XC60:

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Audi Q4 e-tron is safer than the XC60:

The Audi Q4 e-tron achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The XC60 last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023.

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 Q4 e-tron’s reliability 15 points higher than the Volvo XC60 and 27 points higher than the Volvo XC60 T8.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 29 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 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 6 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Q4 50 e-tron’s standard electric motors produces 48 more horsepower (295 vs. 247) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (339 vs. 258) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Q4 50 e-tron electric motors is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron gets better mileage than the XC60 running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron gets better mileage than the XC60 running its gasoline engine:

The Q4 e-tron can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 236 to 265 miles. The XC60 T8 Extended Range has to start its internal combustion engine after only 35 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q4 e-tron higher (10 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (5 to 7). This means the Q4 e-tron produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

The Q4 e-tron stops shorter than the XC60:

For better traction and acceleration, the Q4 e-tron has larger rear tires than the XC60 (255/50R19 vs. 235/60R18).

The Q4 e-tron’s standard 235/55R19 front and 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear 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 Q4 e-tron has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60.

The front and rear suspension of the Q4 e-tron 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 better maneuverability, the Q4 e-tron 40’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the XC60’s (33.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Q4 e-tron is 4.7 inches shorter than the XC60, making the Q4 e-tron easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q4 e-tron is 5.3 inches narrower than the XC60, making the Q4 e-tron easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Q4 e-tron has .5 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the XC60.

The Q4 e-tron has a larger cargo volume than the XC60 with its rear seat up (24.8 vs. 24.4 cubic feet).

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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q4 e-tron to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the XC60.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Q4 e-tron’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the XC60’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Q4 e-tron has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Q4 e-tron Premium Plus/Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Q4 e-tron is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The XC60 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q4 e-tron, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC60 isn't recommended.