Compare the2025 Audi Q3VS 2025 Volvo XC60

The Audi Q3 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.

Both the Q3 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 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, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Volvo XC60:

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

The Audi Q3’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the XC60’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 Q3’s reliability 20 points higher than the Volvo XC60 and 32 points higher than the Volvo XC60 T8.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Q3 second among small premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The XC60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Q3 45 TFSI is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

Both the Q3 and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Q3s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi Q3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The XC60 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Q3 stops much shorter than the XC60:

The Q3’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.

The front and rear suspension of the Q3 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 Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Audi Q3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 850 pounds less than the Volvo XC60.

The Q3 is 8.8 inches shorter than the XC60, making the Q3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q3 is 5.9 inches narrower than the XC60, making the Q3 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Q3’s rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Q3 is 1.5 inches lower than the XC60 (17.5” vs. 19”). The Q3’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the XC60’s (18” vs. 19.5”).

The Q3 has a much larger cargo volume than the XC60 with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 22.4 cubic feet).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the XC60.

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 Q3’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 Q3 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the Q3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Q3 will cost $310 to $3820 less than the XC60 over a five-year period.

The Q3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q3 will retain 56.3% to 56.96% of its original price after five years, while the XC60 only retains 47.41% to 49.36%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q3 is less expensive to operate than the XC60 because typical repairs cost much less on the Q3 than the XC60, including $121 less for a muffler, $101 less for front brake pads, $58 less for fuel injection and $559 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC60 isn't recommended.