Compare the2024 Volvo XC60VS 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Volvo XC60 offers optional built in child booster seats. They’re more crash worthy than an added child seat because of their direct attachment to the seat. Audi doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the Q8 e-tron Sportback. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC60 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC60 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC60’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XC60 has 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 Sportback doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The XC60’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 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XC60 and the Q8 e-tron Sportback 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo XC60 is safer than the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback:

	XC60	Q8 e-tron Sportback
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	212
Neck Injury Risk	22%	23%
Neck Stress	198 lbs.	253 lbs.
Neck Compression	15 lbs.	16 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	178	323
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28%	38%
Neck Compression	55 lbs.	67 lbs.

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

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

	XC60	Q8 e-tron Sportback
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
Hip Force	190 lbs.	236 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	237	279
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	60 G’s
Hip Force	410 lbs.	631 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC60 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Q8 e-tron Sportback has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC60 for 4 years and 40,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, 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 Sportback.

Engine

The XC60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 53 more horsepower (455 vs. 402) and 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 490) than the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s standard electric motors.

Fuel Economy and Range

The XC60 T8 Extended Range’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 562 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s range is only 253 to 300 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 31 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 16 hours.

Tires and Wheels

The XC60’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the XC60’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s (37.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

Chassis

The Volvo XC60 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1650 pounds less than the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback.

The XC60 is 8.1 inches shorter than the Q8 e-tron Sportback, making the XC60 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The XC60 has .7 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more rear headroom than the Q8 e-tron Sportback.

Cargo Capacity

The XC60 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q8 e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

Towing

The XC60’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s (3500 vs. 0 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC60 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 Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The XC60’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 Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC60 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC60 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q8 e-tron Sportback only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC60 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q8 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC60 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Recommendations

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC60 as the 2018 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Q8 e-tron Sportback has never been chosen.

The Volvo XC60 outsold the Audi e-tron by almost five to one during 2023.