Compare the2025 Audi Q8 e-tronVS 2025 Volvo EC40

The Audi Q8 e-tron 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 EC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q8 e-tron. But it costs extra on the EC40.

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 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The EC40 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

Both the Q8 e-tron and the EC40 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.

The Audi Q8 e-tron weighs 1028 to 1304 pounds more than the Volvo EC40. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Audi Q8 e-tron 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 EC40 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 8 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Q8 e-tron’s standard electric motors produces 154 more horsepower (402 vs. 248) and 180 lbs.-ft. more torque (490 vs. 310) than the EC40’s standard electric motor. The SQ8 e-tron’s standard electric motors produces 94 more horsepower (496 vs. 402) and 223 lbs.-ft. more torque (717 vs. 494) than the EC40’s optional electric motors.

The Q8 e-tron 20" Wheels can travel longer on a full charge than the EC40 (272 miles vs. 268 miles).

The Q8 e-tron has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The EC40 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Q8 e-tron’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 EC40 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Q8 e-tron’s brake rotors are larger than those on the EC40:

For better traction, the Q8 e-tron has larger standard tires than the EC40 (255/50R20 vs. 235/45R20). The Q8 e-tron’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EC40 (265/45R21 vs. 235/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q8 e-tron has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the EC40 Core. The Q8 e-tron’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the EC40.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the EC40; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the Q8 e-tron uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the EC40, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The EC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q8 e-tron’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The EC40 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q8 e-tron’s wheelbase is 8.7 inches longer than on the EC40 (115.1 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Q8 e-tron is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the EC40.

The Q8 e-tron handles at .85 G’s, while the EC40 Ultimate pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Q8 e-tron has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the EC40 (8.1 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Q8 e-tron to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Q8 e-tron has 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 3 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the EC40.

The Q8 e-tron has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EC40 with its rear seat up (28.5 vs. 15 cubic feet). The Q8 e-tron has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EC40 with its rear seat folded (56.4 vs. 48.7 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo EC40 is limited to 2000 pounds. The Q8 e-tron offers up to a 4000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Q8 e-tron’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The EC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Q8 e-tron Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The EC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Q8 e-tron has standard extendable sun visors. The EC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q8 e-tron to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The EC40 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Q8 e-tron keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Q8 e-tron 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 EC40.

The Q8 e-tron Prestige/Launch Edition has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the EC40.

The Audi Q8 e-tron has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the EC40 Plus/Ultimate.

The Q8 e-tron Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The EC40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Audi Q8 e-tron outsold the Volvo EC40 by almost six to one during 2024.