Compare the2024 Audi Q8 e-tron SportbackVS 2024 Volvo XC60

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Q8 e-tron Sportback has Car-to-X Services, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The XC60 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

Both the Q8 e-tron Sportback and the XC60 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 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback weighs 1046 to 1636 pounds more than the Volvo XC60. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback is safer than the Volvo XC60:

	Q8 e-tron Sportback	XC60
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	44	73
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	117 lbs.	126 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	123	185
Spine Acceleration	44 G’s	45 G’s
Hip Force	579 lbs.	906 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	8 inches	12 inches

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 Q8 e-tron Sportback is safer than the XC60:

	Q8 e-tron Sportback	XC60
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	92	106
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	201 lbs.
Neck Compression	-22 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.14 in	1.42 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1205 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	64	195
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Neck Compression	-67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.63 in	1.22 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.63 in	1.26 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	602 lbs.	1316 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Q8 e-tron Sportback, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 5.5% to 6.3% less likely to roll over than the XC60, which received a four-star rating.

The Audi Q8 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.

Reliability

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.

Engine

The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s standard electric motors produces 155 more horsepower (402 vs. 247) and 232 lbs.-ft. more torque (490 vs. 258) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The SQ8 e-tron Sportback’s standard electric motors produces 41 more horsepower (496 vs. 455) and 194 lbs.-ft. more torque (717 vs. 523) than the XC60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback (base engine) is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Q8 e-tron Sportback	XC60
Zero to 60 MPH	5.2 sec	7.3 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	8.3 sec	12.5 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	2.3 sec	4 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	15.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101.6 MPH	86.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q8 e-tron Sportback gets better mileage than the XC60 running on electricity:

			MPGe
Q8 e-tron Sportback
	AWD	Electric Motors	84 city/90 hwy
		ultra Electric Motors	84 city/89 hwy
		SQ8 Electric Motors	72 city/75 hwy
XC60
	AWD	T8 Electric Motor	66 city/60 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Q8 e-tron Sportback gets better mileage than the XC60 running its gasoline engine:

			MPGe
Q8 e-tron Sportback
	AWD	Electric Motors	84 city/90 hwy
		ultra Electric Motors	84 city/89 hwy
		SQ8 Electric Motors	72 city/75 hwy
XC60
			MPG
	AWD	2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl. Hybrid	28 city/28 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy

The Q8 e-tron Sportback can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 253 to 300 miles. The XC60 T8 Extended Range has to start its internal combustion engine after only 35 miles.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback higher (10 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (5 to 7). This means the Q8 e-tron Sportback produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The XC60 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC60:

	Q8 e-tron Sportback	XC60
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	12.6 inches

The Q8 e-tron Sportback stops much shorter than the XC60:

	Q8 e-tron Sportback	XC60
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q8 e-tron Sportback has larger standard tires than the XC60 (255/50R20 vs. 235/60R18).

The Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium ultra’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series 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 Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium ultra has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC60. The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the XC60.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the Q8 e-tron Sportback uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XC60, which uses coil springs in front and transverse leafs springs in the rear. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the XC60 (115.1 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

The Q8 e-tron Sportback handles at .92 G’s, while the XC60 Recharge Core pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the XC60 B5 Core (25.4 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Q8 e-tron Sportback uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has .1 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

Cargo Capacity

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume than the XC60 with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 24.4 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC60 is limited to 3500 pounds. The Q8 e-tron Sportback offers up to a 4000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Q8 e-tron Sportback’s headlights were rated “Good” 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 Q8 e-tron Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q8 e-tron Sportback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC60 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Standard air conditioned seats in the front and rear seats keep the Q8 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The XC60 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Q8 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 Q8 e-tron Sportback Prestige/Launch Assist’s Intelligent Park 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.