Compare the2025 Audi A5VS 2025 Volvo S60

The Audi A5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 S60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The A5 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The S60 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A5. But it costs extra on the S60.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The A5 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The S60 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

Both the A5 and the S60 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

There are over 9 percent more Audi dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the A5’s warranty.

The Audi A5’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the S60’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 21 more horsepower (268 vs. 247) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the S60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the A5 and the S60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All A5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The S60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The A5 offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The S60 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The A5’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 S60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the A5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S60 (245/40R19 vs. 235/45R18).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the A5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the A5 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S60, 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 A5 has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the S60.

The engine in the A5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The A5’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the A5 has a standard extendable sun visor. The S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the A5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The S60 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Audi A5 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 S60.

The A5 is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the S60, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the A5 offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the S60.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the A5 equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The S60, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Audi A5 empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi A5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S60.

The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the Volvo 60 Series by 48% during 2024.