Compare the2024 Volvo XC40 RechargeVS 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XC40 Recharge has a 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 Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The XC40 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 Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XC40 Recharge and the Q8 e-tron 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.

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC40 Recharge for 4 years and 40,000 miles. Volvo will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q8 e-tron.

As tested in Car and Driver the XC40 Recharge Twin Motor electric motors is faster than the Audi Q8 e-tron (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the XC40 Recharge gets better mileage than the Q8 e-tron:

The XC40 Recharge can travel longer on a full charge than the Q8 e-tron on a full charge:

The XC40 Recharge stops much shorter than the Q8 e-tron:

The XC40 Recharge’s standard 255/45R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q8 e-tron’s standard 50 series tires. The XC40 Recharge Ultimate’s 255/40R20 rear tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Q8 e-tron’s optional 45 series tires.

The XC40 Recharge AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Q8 e-tron 55 Launch Edition pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the XC40 Recharge’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Q8 e-tron’s (37.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Volvo XC40 Recharge may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1350 to 1400 pounds less than the Audi Q8 e-tron.

The XC40 Recharge is 1 foot, 6.8 inches shorter than the Q8 e-tron, making the XC40 Recharge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC40 Recharge has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q8 e-tron with its rear seat folded (57.5 vs. 56.4 cubic feet).

The XC40 Recharge’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q8 e-tron’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC40 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 Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The XC40 Recharge’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 Q8 e-tron’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC40 Recharge to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC40 Recharge has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q8 e-tron only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC40 Recharge offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC40 Recharge Plus/Ultimate has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC40 Recharge Ultimate 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 XC40 Recharge has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q8 e-tron.

The XC40 Recharge is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Volvo XC40 outsold the Audi Q8 e-tron by over three to one during 2023.