Compare the2025 Audi Q6 e-tronVS 2025 Volvo XC60

With its standard Active Front Assist, the Audi Q6 e-tron is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Volvo XC60, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Q6 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 XC60 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

The Audi Q6 e-tron offers an optional Top View Cameras and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Volvo XC60 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Q6 e-tron and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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 Q6 e-tron is safer than the XC60:

The Audi Q6 e-tron has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XC60 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

There are over 9 percent more Audi dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Q6 e-tron’s warranty.

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 Q6 e-tron has more powerful engines than the XC60:

As tested in Motor Trend the Q6 e-tron Premium Quattro electric motors is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the Q6 e-tron gets better mileage than the XC60 running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the Q6 e-tron gets better mileage than the XC60 running its gasoline engine:

The Q6 e-tron can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 275 to 321 miles. The XC60 T8 Extended Range has to start its internal combustion engine after only 35 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q6 e-tron higher (10 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (6). This means the Q6 e-tron produces up to 12.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

The Q6 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 XC60 doesn’t offer launch control.

The Q6 e-tron stops much shorter than the XC60:

For better traction and acceleration, the Q6 e-tron has larger standard rear tires than the XC60 (255/55R19 vs. 235/60R18). The Q6 e-tron’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the XC60 (285/45R20 vs. 265/35R22).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Q6 e-tron can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the Q6 e-tron 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 Q6 e-tron Prestige Quattro handles at .83 G’s, while the XC60 T8 Core pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q6 e-tron Prestige Quattro executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the XC60 B5 Core (25.4 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Q6 e-tron has .5 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

The Q6 e-tron has a much larger cargo volume than the XC60 with its rear seat up (30.2 vs. 22.4 cubic feet).

The Q6 e-tron’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC60’s (4409 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Q6 e-tron’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q6 e-tron 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 Q6 e-tron’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 Q6 e-tron has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q6 e-tron to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC60 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Audi Q6 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. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the XC60.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi Q6 e-tron has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC60.

The Q6 e-tron’s available automated parking system can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC60’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Q6 e-tron is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The XC60 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.