Compare the2026 Audi Q4 e-tron SportbackVS 2025 Volvo EC40

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q4 e-tron Sportback. But it costs extra on the EC40.

Both the Q4 e-tron Sportback and the EC40 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 and available around view monitors.

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Q4 e-tron Sportback for 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo pays for maintenance for the EC40 (3/30,000 vs. 2/20,000).

There are over 9 percent more Audi dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Q4 e-tron Sportback’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 Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors produces 87 more horsepower (335 vs. 248) and 226 lbs.-ft. more torque (536 vs. 310) than the EC40’s standard electric motor. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors produces 42 lbs.-ft. more torque (536 vs. 494) than the EC40’s optional electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron Sportback gets better mileage than the EC40 (107 city/92 hwy vs. 105 city/88 hwy MPGe).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback 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.

For better stopping power the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the EC40:

The Q4 e-tron Sportback stops shorter than the EC40:

For better traction and acceleration, the Q4 e-tron Sportback has larger rear tires than the EC40 (255/45R20 vs. 235/45R20).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s standard 255/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the EC40 Core’s standard 50 series tires. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s optional 255/40R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series profile than the EC40’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q4 e-tron Sportback has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the EC40 Core. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the EC40.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the EC40 (108.7 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback handles at .83 G’s, while the EC40 Ultimate pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has .3 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more rear headroom and 1.1 inches more rear legroom than the EC40.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the EC40 with its rear seat up (26.1 vs. 15 cubic feet). The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the EC40 with its rear seat folded (54.4 vs. 48.7 cubic feet).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the EC40’s (2650 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and driver assistance information readouts 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The EC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus’ Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The EC40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Audi Q4 outsold the Volvo EC40 by over seven to one during 2024.