Compare the2024 Volvo C40 RechargeVS 2024 Audi e-tron GT

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 GT doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The C40 Recharge has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the C40 Recharge’s standard Hill Descent Control allow you to creep down safely. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

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 GT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the C40 Recharge and the e-tron GT 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, 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.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the C40 Recharge its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The e-tron GT has not been tested, yet.

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the C40 Recharge for 4 years and 40,000 miles. Volvo will pay for tire rotations, 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 GT.

The C40 Recharge’s optional electric motors produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (494 vs. 472) than the e-tron GT’s standard electric motors.

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

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

For better maneuverability, the C40 Recharge’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the e-tron GT’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Volvo C40 Recharge may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Audi e-tron GT.

The C40 Recharge is 1 foot, 9.6 inches shorter than the e-tron GT, making the C40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The C40 Recharge has .1 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the e-tron GT.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the C40 Recharge’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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 GT 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 GT doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the C40 Recharge has a standard rear wiper. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The C40 Recharge offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The C40 Recharge is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the C40 Recharge second among small premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The e-tron GT isn’t in the top three.

The Volvo C40 Recharge outsold the Audi e-tron by over two to one during 2023.