Compare the2024 Audi Q4 e-tron SportbackVS 2024 Volvo XC60

Both the Q4 e-tron Sportback 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

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 Sportback is safer than the XC60:

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

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 e-tron Sportback’s 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.

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 50 e-tron Sportback gets better mileage than the XC60 T8 Extended Range running on electricity (100 city/89 hwy vs. 66 city/60 hwy MPGe).

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

The Q4 50 e-tron Sportback can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 242 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 Sportback higher (10 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (5 to 7). This means the Q4 e-tron Sportback produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the XC60:

For better traction and acceleration, the Q4 e-tron Sportback has larger rear tires than the XC60 (255/45R20 vs. 235/60R18).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s 235/50R20 front and 255/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series front and 45 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 Sportback has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60.

The front and rear suspension of the Q4 e-tron Sportback 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.

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

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

The design of the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback amounts to more than styling. The Q4 e-tron Sportback has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is lower than the XC60 (.32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Q4 e-tron Sportback get better fuel mileage.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume than the XC60 with its rear seat up (26.1 vs. 24.4 cubic feet).

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 Sportback’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 Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the XC60.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback 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.

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